Effects of mitotic activity and water content on the proton relaxation times in partially hepatectomized and sham-operated rat livers.

Proton relaxation times, T1 and T2, water content, and mitotic activity in control, sham-operated and partially hepatectomized rat livers were measured before surgery, and at 28 hours, 48 hours and six days after surgery. T1, water content, and mitotic activity increased after partial hepatectomy, but T1 was also elevated after sham operations, whereas neither water content nor mitotic activity changed. T2 was unaffected by either procedure. The T1 changed is more likely to be the result of surgery related stress than of changes in water content or growth rate.