Gastroenterology

Gastroenterology

Volume 108, Issue 4, April 1995, Pages 1136-1142
Gastroenterology

Liver, pancreas, and biliary tract
A single intraportal administration of follistatin accelerates liver regeneration in partially hepatectomized rats

https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-5085(95)90212-0Get rights and content

Abstract

Background/Aims: Activin A is an autocrine negative regulator of DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes and is expressed in remnant liver after partial hepatectomy. To determine the role of activin A in liver regeneration, the effects of exogenous follistatin, which blocks the action of activin A, were examined. Methods: Human recombinant follistatin was infused into the portal vein immediately after 70% hepatectomy. Changes in body weight, remnant liver weight, liver regeneration rate, and nuclear bromodeoxyuridine labeling were measured. Results: In control rats, nuclear labeling was observed at 24 hours and peaked at 36 hours after the hepatectomy. In follistatin-treated rats, nuclear labeling was first observed after 18 hours and was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that in control rats at 24 hours. In follistatin-treated rats, both remnant liver weight and liver regeneration rate were significantly greater at 120 hours. Serum concentrations of albumin and glucose remained reduced for up to 120 hours in control rats but recovered in follistatin-treated rats. Conclusions: A single administration of follistatin accelerates the initial round of DNA synthesis after partial hepatectomy. Activin A produced in remnant liver may exert tonic inhibitory effect on liver regeneration. Follistatin may be useful as a potential therapeutic agent to promote liver regeneration.

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    Type β transforming growth factor reversibly inhibits the early proliferative response to partial hepatectomy in the rat

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    Supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan and grants from the Kato Memorial Foundation for Nanbyo Research and the Viral Hepatitis Foundation in Japan.

    The authors thank Professor Kinji Inoue of Saitama University for his helpful discussion and Romi Nobusawa for secretarial assistance during the preparation of the manuscript.

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