The effect of hepatectomy on plasma lipolytic enzyme activity and circulating lipid levels: an experimental study on Wistar rat.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of liver resection and resulting transient hepatic steatosis on circulating lipid levels and plasma lipolytic enzyme activity.


METHODS
Forty-eight male Wistar rats were assigned to the sham (Group A=21) or the hepatectomy group (Group B=27) and were further subdivided according to the day they were sacrificed (POD 1, 3 and 7). We measured hepatic lipase (HL) and total lipase (TL) activity and plasma levels of AST, ALT, triglycerides, HDL and cholesterol.


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in the activities of HL and TL between the groups. Nevertheless, significant differences were observed in the levels of HDL (p=0.001) and cholesterol (p=0.001) on the 1st POD, and in triglycerides (p=0.045) on the 7th POD. A significant drop in the levels of HDL and cholesterol on the 1st POD was followed by a rapid recovery (3rd POD) and maintenance of these levels in group B until the 7th POD, while high levels of triglycerides (TG) were observed only on POD 7.


CONCLUSIONS
After hepatectomy the activities of the lipolytic enzymes recover early and remain stable during regeneration. HDL and cholesterol levels are reversely proportional to the liver stress.
2nd Surgical Department, Red Cross Athens General Hospital, Athens, Greece. drlanitis@yahoo.com
Sophocles
S
Lanitis
Evangelos
E
Lolis
Nikolaos
N
Dafnios
Constantine
C
Karaliotas
Dionysios
D
Voros
Ioannis
I
Vassiliou
D000818:Animals; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000209:etiology; D006498:Hepatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008049:Lipase / Q000097:blood*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013312:Stress, Physiological
D008055:Lipids; D008049:Lipase