title: Multiple low doses of erythropoietin delay the proliferation of hepatocytes but promote liver function in a rat model of subtotal hepatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The impact of various doses of erythropoietin (EPO) on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in different animal models is still under debate. We investigated the impact of low doses of EPO on liver regeneration in a rat model of subtotal hepatectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We established a 90 % PH rat model with perioperative injections of low-dose EPO (1,000 IU/kg). We analyzed survival and hepatocyte proliferation in animals treated with or without EPO and assessed liver function by blood ammonia measurement and the indocyanine green 15-min retention test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Low doses of EPO treatment improved the survival of rats after 90 % PH. Unexpectedly, during the first 24 h after the operation, liver regeneration in the EPO-treated rats was inhibited. DNA synthesis, cell proliferation, and the expression of cyclins and p-STAT3 peaked 48 h after PH, which was delayed by about 24 h vs. the control rats. Furthermore, EPO treatment increased the serum level of IL-6 and protected the hepatocytes from apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low doses of EPO do not stimulate early hepatocyte proliferation in the regenerating liver, but contribute to liver protection by inducing IL-6 and inhibiting apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, 610083, China.
authors.forename: Hua-sheng
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Xian-hua
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ru
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao-ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xiao-xiang
authors.initials: XX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wuan-hua
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ting-yuan
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xing-rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Xiao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000473:pathology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008115:Liver Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015850:Interleukin-6; D004921:Erythropoietin