title: Beneficial effects of splenectomy on liver regeneration in a rat model of massive hepatectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Small-for-size syndrome is a widely recognized clinical complication after living donor liver transplantation or extended hepatectomy due to inadequate liver mass. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of splenectomy in rats after massive hepatectomy, a surrogate model of small-for-size graft.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were divided into eight groups, each with 20 animals: 50% hepatectomy (50% Hx), 50% hepatectomy+splenectomy (50% Hx+Sp), 60% Hx, 60% Hx+Sp, 70% Hx, 70% Hx+Sp, 90% Hx and 90% Hx+Sp. The following parameters were evaluated: liver function tests (ALT, AST and TBIL), liver regeneration ratio, DNA synthesis, proliferation cell nuclear antigen, hepatic oxygen delivery (HDO2) and hepatic oxygen consumption (HVO2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The liver regeneration ratio was enhanced in the Hx+Sp groups (P<0.05). In addition, compared with the Hx groups, the Hx+Sp groups had better liver functions (P<0.05). DNA synthesis and proliferation cell nuclear antigen were also increased in the Hx+Sp groups compared with the Hx groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, in the Hx+Sp groups, HDO2 and HVO2 were increased over those in the Hx groups (P<0.05), and were positively correlated with the liver regeneration ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Splenectomy significantly improved liver function, and enhanced DNA synthesis and proliferation cell nuclear antigen after massive hepatectomy in rats. This operation could be mediated through increased HDO2 and HVO2, which facilitate liver regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Shun
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Nian-Song
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Yong-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Wei-Hui
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Vikram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raut
authors.forename: Kai-Shan
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Ke-Feng
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Dou
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004261:DNA Replication; D006498:Hepatectomy; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008115:Liver Regeneration; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin