Influence of the conjoint administration of insulin and glucagon upon hepatic regeneration.

In noneviscerated rats, the influence of the conjoint administration of insulin and glucagon in the regenerative response triggered by 70 per cent hepatectomy using the incorporation of tritiated thymidine by nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid as a parameter has been demonstrated. The response was earlier and more intense in relation to animals not hormonally stimulated and stimulated only with glucagon (previously reported by us). Such a response has been comparatively greater both in the nonparenchymal cells and in the hepatocytes, especially in the latter, which are the main cause of the early peak of thymidine incorporation in the periportal zones indicating a greater regenerative activity than in the intermediate and centrolobular zones. In our opinion, this indicates the importance of certain extrahepatic humoral agents in the manifestation of the regenerative process. Therefore, the results of our study ascertain the determining role and synergistic action of the pancreatic hormones--insulin and glucagon--in hepatic regeneration.