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Osmosignalling and Osmolytes in Liver and Astrocytes

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Advances in Cirrhosis, Hyperammonemia, and Hepatic Encephalopathy

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 420))

Abstract

In recent years it became clear that the regulation of cell function involves another important controlling parameter, i.e. the cellular hydration state. Cell hydration can change within minutes under the influence of hormones, nutrient supply and oxidative stress and such a short-term modulation of cell volume within a narrow range acts per se as a potent signal which modifies cellular metabolism and gene expression (for reviews see [1–3]). Indeed, several effects of amino acids and hormones are apparently mediated by alterations of cell hydration. The intracellular signalling mechanisms which link the osmotic water shift across the plasma membrane to cell function are understood only in part, however, osmosignalling pathways have been identified, whose interruption by suitable inhibitors leads to an uncoupling of cell swelling from the metabolic response of the cell. Organic osmolytes interfere with cell hydration and can modify the function of liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. This article briefly reviews our recent work on osmosignalling in hepatocytes and astrocytes and the role of organic osmolytes.

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  1. Medizinische Universitätsklinik Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Moorenstrase 5, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    Dieter Häussinger, Ulrich Warskulat & Freimut Schliess

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  1. Dieter Häussinger
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  2. Ulrich Warskulat
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  1. Instituto de Investigaciones Citologicas de la F. V. I. B., Valencia, Spain

    Vicente Felipo  & Santiago Grisolía  & 

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Häussinger, D., Warskulat, U., Schliess, F. (1997). Osmosignalling and Osmolytes in Liver and Astrocytes. In: Felipo, V., Grisolía, S. (eds) Advances in Cirrhosis, Hyperammonemia, and Hepatic Encephalopathy. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 420. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5945-0_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5945-0_13

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