Hepatocyte growth factor promotes liver regeneration and protein synthesis after hepatectomy in cirrhotic rats.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatocyte growth factor, a potent mitogen for hepatocytes has been reported to be a hepatrophic factor in normal livers. In this study, the effect of exogenous hepatocyte growth factor on liver regeneration in cirrhotic rats was investigated, in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
Liver cirrhosis was induced by intraperitoneal injections of an emulsion, carbon tetrachloride and olive oil, twice weekly for 10 weeks. In vitro, various amounts of exogenous hepatocyte growth factor; 0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 ng/mL; were added to the hepatocytes isolated using in situ perfusion method. In vivo, partial hepatectomy (Hx), according to the procedure described by Higgins and Anderson, was performed on cirrhotic rats. Saline solution (control group) or 3 micrograms/kg of exogenous hepatocyte growth factor (HGF group) was then injected through the tail vein at intervals 12 hours after Hx.


RESULTS
In vitro, DNA synthesis in hepatocytes obtained from cirrhotic livers increased following exogenous hepatocyte growth factor in dose-dependent fashion. In vivo, the labeling index of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine at 24 hours after Hx was markedly increased by exogenous hepatocyte growth factor (control, 10.0 +/- 3.1%; hepatocyte growth factor, 25.8 +/- 9.8%; P < 0.01). Furthermore, serum albumin at 24 and 72 hours and a normotest at 24 hours after Hx, were significantly higher in the HGF group than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that exogenous hepatocyte growth factor may promote DNA synthesis and protein synthesis during liver regeneration after Hx with cirrhosis.
Ogura
Y
Y
First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagoshima University, 8-35-1, Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan.
Hamanoue
M
M
Tanabe
G
G
Mitsue
S
S
Yoshidome
S
S
Nuruki
K
K
Aikou
T
T
D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D004247:DNA