Induction of hepatocyte mitosis in intact adult rat by interleukin-1 alpha and interleukin-6.
In the adult rat the liver is normally quiescent, but it proliferates rapidly in response to partial hepatectomy (PH). A hepatectomized rat is subjected to stress by the operation. We have examined the effects of acute phase cytokines. To investigate the mediation of hepatocyte growth, recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were injected into male rats. Administration of IL-1 or IL-6 followed by NH4Cl and glucagon could induce hepatocyte mitosis 30 h after the first injection. This activity was lost when interleukins were exposed to 90 degrees C for 30 minutes. NH4Cl augmented the effects of IL-1 and IL-6. These results suggest that the IL-1 and IL-6 are important mediators of liver regeneration after PH. We present a hypothesis for the triggering mechanism of hepatocyte proliferation.
Department of Physiology, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
M
M
Koga
H
H
Ogasawara
D000818:Animals; D006498:Hepatectomy; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D008938:Mitosis; D008940:Mitotic Index; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins