Stimulation by vasopressin, angiotensin and oxytocin of gluconeogenesis in hepatocyte suspensions

1. In hepatocytes from starved rats, vasopressin, angiotensin (angiotensin II) and oxytocin stimulated gluconeogenesis from lactate by 25–50%; minimal effective concentrations were about 0.02pM, 1 nM and 0.2 nM respectively. 2. Vasopressin and angiotensin also stimulated gluconeogenesis from alanine, pyruvate, serine and glycerol. EGTA decreased gluconeogenesis from these substrates. 3. Hormonal stimulation of gluconeogenesis from lactate was abolished in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. 4. Insulin did not prevent stimulation of gluconeogenesis by vasopressin or angiotensin. 5. The potency of the stimulatory effects of vasopressin and angiotensin on hepatic gluconeogenesis suggests they are operative in vivo. Also, the data suggest that Ca2+ plays a role in the stimulation by these hormones.