The effect of microvesicular fatty change on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatic resection for primary and secondary liver tumors and transplantation of segments of liver into patients with severe liver disease has become a common practice. However, the information on the regenerative potential of liver with various underlying diseases, particularly, the common disorder fatty change, is sparse.

METHODOLOGY

In the present study we have evaluated the regenerative potential of liver in mice lacking fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (AOX-/-) after partial hepatectomy. Liver regeneration was assessed by measuring mitotic activity and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

BrdU labeling index in AOX-/- mice was 99 +/- 32, 156 +/- 28, 54 +/- 13, and 120 +/- 33 per 1000 cells at 48, 60, 72 and 84 hours, respectively after partial hepatectomy. Comparable BrdU labeling index was observed in AOX+/+ mice. Similarly, mitotic index in both groups was comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that DNA synthesis after partial hepatectomy in genetically altered mice with microvesicular fatty change is unaffected.