Effect of allopurinol, folinic acid, SOD and cyclosporine A on ischemic liver regeneration.

Liver regeneration plays a key role in restoring the liver/body ratio after partial liver transplantation. However, hepatic ischemia hinders the proliferative response of the hepatocytes. In this study, different ways of improving the regenerating capacity of ischemic hepatocytes are tested. Following 70% hepatectomy and 15 min of normothermic liver ischemia, the percentage of regenerating hepatocytes and the regenerative gradient are assessed. Cyclosporine A (hepatotrophic agent), superoxide dismutase and folinic acid (antioxidants), administered during the ischemic period, have significantly increased these indices. The later drug has restored the regenerative response to the levels of normoperfused livers.