Abstract
We determined the effect of obstructive jaundice and its relief on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats. Rats received bile duct ligation, then 5, 10 or 14 days later choledocho-duodenostomy for its relief was performed. Partial (68%) hepatecotmy was performed at various intervals after the relief. We assessed the changes in: hepatic protein, DNA and RNA content after bile duct ligation, serum total bilirugin. GOT levels and hepatic DNA synthesis after partial hepatectomy. The hepatic protein content was significantly low after bile duct ligation compared with control rats and was restored gradually by drainage. There was no difference in hepatic protein content among the three different periodds of obstruction. The hepatic RNA content was unchanged, but the DNA content increased markedly in obstructive jaundiced rats without significant differences among the three periods. The rats with shorter periods of drainage showed higher levels of serum total bilirubin and GOT after partial hepatectomy. Hepatic DNA synthesis was significantly inhibited in obstructive jaundiced rats compared to pair-fed controls that received partial hepatectomy alone. Whle the inhibition disappeared after 5 days of drainage in the 5 day-obstructed group, the inhibition was detectable as late as 21 days after drainage in 10-and 14-day-obstructed groups, and the recovery of DNA synthesis occurred more than 30 days after the relief.
