[Influence of enteral nutrition on hepatic regeneration and small intestinal epithelium after hepatectomy in rat-comparative assessment with TPN].

The influence of enteral nutrition on hepatic regeneration and small intestinal mucosa was examined after 70% hepatectomy in rats. The rats were divided into two groups, enteral nutrition group (EN group) and total parenteral nutrition group (TPN group). The study was carried out for 3 days (72 hours) after hepatectomy. Both groups were received almost the same energy. Rats were sacrificed at 72 hours later. Hepatic regeneration rate, nutritional parameters, small intestinal mucosa, and BrdU labelling index (LI) were compared. The hepatic regeneration rate of each group was as follows: TPN; 95.0%, EN; 99.3%. The hepatic protein content of each liver: TPN; 166.88 mg/g, EN; 175.9 mg/g. EN group was better nutritional condition than TPN group 3 days after hepatectomy. The status of small intestinal mucosa was microscopically observed in each group. EN group was also better than TPN group. BrdU LI of hepatic cell was a measured at 24 hours after and 72 hours after. LI of EN group decreased faster than that of TPN group, and it was considered that hepatic regeneration had been achieved faster by EN than TPN. The observation indicates that EN is effective for hepatic regeneration.