title: Beneficial effects of splenectomy on massive hepatectomy model in rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Possible spleno-hepatic relationships during hepatectomy remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of splenectomy during massive hepatectomy in rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were divided into the following two groups: 90% hepatectomy (Hx group), hepatectomy with splenectomy (Hx+Sp group). The following parameters were evaluated; survival rate, biochemical parameters, quantitative RT-PCR for hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and tumor necrosing factor alpha (TNFalpha), immunohistochemical staining for HO-1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index and liver weights.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survival rate after massive hepatectomy significantly improved in Hx+Sp group as well as serum biochemical parameters, compared with Hx group (P < 0.05). HO-1 positive hepatocytes and its mRNA expression significantly increased and TNFalpha mRNA expression significantly decreased in Hx+Sp group compared with Hx group (P < 0.05). Moreover, liver regeneration was significantly accelerated at 48 and 72 h after hepatectomy in Hx+Sp group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Splenectomy had beneficial effects on massive hepatectomy by ameliorating liver injuries and promoting preferable liver regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.
authors.forename: Yusuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Arakawa
authors.forename: Mitsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uchiyama
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: Tomoharu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshizumi
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imura
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Morine
authors.forename: Hirohumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanemura