Changes in hepatic portal resistance and in liver morphology during regeneration: in vitro study in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of liver regeneration on hepatic portal resistance and on the morphology of liver sinusoids.


METHODS
Experimental in vitro study.


METHODS
University laboratory, Hong Kong.


METHODS
10 Groups of 6 male Sprague Dawley rats each.


METHODS
Two thirds hepatectomy, with subsequent re-hepatectomy for measurements 0, 1, 3, 7, 21 and 56 days later. Perfusion of isolated livers and histomorphometry.


METHODS
Hepatic portal resistance and measurement of width and length of sinusoids.


RESULTS
Liver weight was restored within 7 days of hepatectomy. Hepatic portal resistance/g of liver increased, reaching a maximum at 3 and 7 days of hepatectomy, and subsequently returned to initial values after 56 days. Width of sinusoids decreased to a minimum within 3 to 7 days of hepatectomy, and subsequently returned close to initial values within 56 days of hepatectomy. The changes in hepatic portal resistance occurred in phase with the changes in the width of liver sinusoids.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a transient increase in hepatic portal resistance/g of liver during regeneration; transient narrowing of sinusoids may contribute to this change.
Gertsch
P
P
Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
Stipa
F
F
Ho
J
J
Yuen
S T
ST
Luk
I
I
Lauder
I J
IJ
D000818:Animals; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006499:Hepatic Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017082:Portal Pressure; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014655:Vascular Resistance