Activin or follistatin: which is more beneficial to support liver regeneration after massive hepatectomy?
The present study was conducted to compare the effects of exogenous follistatin and activin A on liver regeneration in 90% hepatectomized rats. Intraportal administration of follistatin markedly accelerated liver regeneration, and nuclear BrdU labeling and liver regeneration rate were greatly increased by follistatin. In contrast, administration of activin A attenuated liver regeneration. After 120 h of 90% hepatectomy, histological analysis showed that the hepatic architecture was restored in control and activin-treated rats. However, it was not restored in follistatin-treated rats. The serum bilirubin levels were significantly increased in follistatin-treated rats, and the serum glucose level was significantly lower in follistatin-treated rats. Although follistatin markedly accelerated liver regeneration, it reduced the function of the remnant liver. Treatment with activin A instead may be beneficial to support liver regeneration after massive hepatectomy.
Institute for Molecular and Cellular Regulation, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan.
Daisuke
D
Endo
Masatoshi
M
Maku-Uchi
Itaru
I
Kojima
D028341:Activins / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D038681:Follistatin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D001786:Blood Glucose; D038681:Follistatin; C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits; D001663:Bilirubin