Abstract
To reveal the pathophysiology after extended partial hepatectomy, we investigated serum endotoxin levels (Et), arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) and DNA synthesis in the regenerating liver after 70% and 90% partial hepatectomy in rats. Survival rate was 55.5% at 72 hours after 90% partial hepatectomy (n=60), while all rats survived after 70% partial hepatectomy (n=34) (p<0.05). After 90% partial hepatectomy, serum GOT and total bilirubin concentrations were elevated remarkably (p<0.01) and AKBR was depressed significantly (p<0.05) through all postoperative times in comparison with 70% partial hepatectomy. Et after 90% partial hepatectomy showed transient increase at 24 hours postoperatively, while no significant change was observed after 70% partial hepatectomy (p<0.01). Hepatic DNA synthesis after 90% partial hepatectomy was significantly depressed at 24 hours postoperatively (p<0.01) but peaked 24 hours later than after 70% partial hepatectomy. Furthermore, its prolonged acceleration lasted at 72 hours postoperatively. It is concluded that both severe injury and depressed proliferation of hepatocyte were observed in the early stage after 90% partial hepatectomy in rats, and transient elevation of Et and hepatic energy crisis are suggested to relate to this depressed and delayed hepatic regeneration.
