The effect of silymarin on hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy: is silymarin effective in hepatic regeneration?
OBJECTIVE
Silymarin from Silybum marianum was found to reduce liver injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of silymarin on hepatic regeneration in partially hepatectomized rats.


METHODS
Thirty Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 3 groups of 10 animals as sham, control and experimental groups. In the sham group (n=10) abdominal incision was closed after laparotomy. In the control group (n=10), the rats underwent 70% hepatectomy after laparotomy. In the experimental group (n=10) after partial 70% hepatectomy, silymarin (200 mg/kg/d) were given to rats for 10 days. Rats in three groups were sacrificed on 10 days. Aspartate (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), ALP, LDH and total bilirubin levels were measured using intracardiac blood samples. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and tissue glutathion (GSH) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured. To reveal the increase in the mass of the remnant liver tissue in the control and experimental groups relative weight of the liver was calculated. Histopathological analysis of the liver was performed using a semi-quantitative scoring system.


RESULTS
A statistically significant difference among three groups was not shown for AST and ALT levels. A statistically significant difference was found between the groups as for total bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase levels. Increases in relative liver weights were seen with time in Groups 2 and 3. A statistically significant difference was not found for tissue malondialdehyde, Glutathion and Superoxide dismutase levels between hepatectomy and hepatectomy + silymarin groups. On liver tissue sections of the rats in the hepatectomy + silymarin group, increased regeneration and lipid peroxidation were observed accompanied by decreased antioxidant response.


CONCLUSIONS
It has been observed that silymarin with many established functions such as antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and energy antioxidant effects, does not contributed to proliferative regeneration of the liver-which has very important metabolic functions -after partial hepatectomy; instead it will decrease serum levels of transaminases.
Adana Numune Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Genel Cerrahi Klinigi Adana, Türkiye.
Suleyman
S
Cetinkunar
Ankara Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Genel Cerrahi Klinigi Ankara, Türkiye.
Serhat
S
Tokgoz
Kafkas Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Genel Cerrahi Ana Bilim Dali Kars, Türkiye.
Bulent Caglar
BC
Bilgin
Adana Numune Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Genel Cerrahi Klinigi Adana, Türkiye.
Hasan
H
Erdem
Samsun Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi, Genel Cerrahi Klinigi Samsun, Türkiye.
Recep
R
Aktimur
Kafkas Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Fizyoloji Ana Bilim Dali Kars, Türkiye.
Serpil
S
Can
Ataturk Universitesi Veterinerlik Fakultesi, Biyokimya Ana Bilim Dali Erzurum, Türkiye.
Huseyin Serkan
HS
Erol
Ankara Universtesi, Veterinerlik Fakultesi Ankara, Türkiye.
Atilla
A
Isgoren
Namik Kemal Universitesi Tip Fakultesi, Genel Cerrahi Ana Bilim Dali Tekirdag, Türkiye.
Selim
S
Sozen
Medikal Park Hastanesi, Genel Cerrahi Klinigi Elazig, Turkiye.
Yilmaz
Y
Polat
Silymarin; hepatectomy; hepatic regeneration