DISTURBED INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM-RELATED PROCESSES OF HEPATOCYTES AND NEUTROPHILS IN HUMAN ALCOHOLIC LIVER-DISEASE

Isolated human hepatocytes and separated neutrophils of 11 patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) were used to study some aspects of cellular calcium-related processes compared to nonalcoholic controls. 45Ca2+ efflux from the cells decreased in ALD and the calmodulin-inhibitor trifluoperazine did not influence it further. The intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]l) of nonstimulated hepatocytes and neutrophils proved to be higher in ALD with the Quin2/AM loading technique. However, the [Ca2+]l rise in hepatocytes and neutrophils, with stimulation by low density lipoprotein (LDL) and N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl phenylalanine (FMLP), respectively, was diminished in ALD compared to appropriate controls. The slower 45Ca2+ extrusion rate, higher basal [Ca2+]l levels, and the diminished [Ca2+]l elevation of activated hepatocytes and neutrophils, suggest disturbed calcium-related intracellular processes in ALD, in particular, impaired regulation of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase. © 1990 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists.