Different effects of glucose and intralipid on the onset of liver regeneration in the early period after partial hepatectomy in the rat.

One day fasted rats were partially hepatectomized (PH) and immediately after operation infused for 4 h, receiving each 5 ml of tested solutions as follows: a) saline solution, b) 10% Intralipid (I)--Vitrum AB, Sweden, with the energy content of 4.6 MJ/1,000 ml, c) 28% glucose (G), with the energy content of 4.6 MJ/1,000 ml. All rats were sacrificed 18, 21, 24 or 30 h postoperatively. The results obtained showed that glucose infusion in an early period after PH slowed down the onset of liver regeneration in contrast to Intralipid which exerted stimulative action on the rate of liver regeneration. This was concluded from the following findings: 1. A significantly higher liver DNA specific activity 18 and 21 h after PH in the groups given I compared with those given G. 2. A significantly higher mitotic hepatocyte activity 24 and 30 h after PH in the groups given I as compared with those given G.