Effects Of Recombinant Hepatocyte Growth Factor(rHGF) On Liver Regeneration Of Partial Orthotopic Transplanted Rats

Objective: Our purpose of this study was to develop a rat model of partial orthotopic liver transplantation, and,evaluate the effects of rHGF on liver regeneration of partial orthotopic liver transplanted rats.Methods: (l)The model was performed in SD rats.Two-cuff technique described by Kamada was used with some modification. To weigh the wet weight of liver of donor and graft respectively, recipient rats were killed at 1, 4 and 7 days after transplatation. (2)On the basis of the model,recipients were divided into two groups: experimental group and control. Each group contains 20 rats. In experimental group ,starting immediately after liver grafts were transplanted to the rats, 500u.g/kg rat body weight of rHGF was administered i.v. twice a day until the day the rats were killed. Same vehicle of saline was administered as control.The rats in each group were killed randomly on days 1,2,4,and 7. The number of rats killed at I,2,4,and7days was five every time. The serum levels of albumin and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were determined. Each liver was removed and weighed. Expression of Ki-67 antigen in hepatocyte were measured with immunohistochemistry assay(SP method). The regenerative response of liver graft were evaluated by Flow Cytometry .Results: (1) 83.3%of the grafted rats survived for 1 week. On l,4,and 7 days after liver transplantation,the wet weight of graft was significantly larger than the graft's weight before transplantation. (2)On 1 and 2 days after operation the wet weight of rats treated with rHGF significantly larger thanthat of the rats not treated with rHGF. ( 3 ) The proliferate index and Ki-67 labelling index of the graft in experimental group higher than that in control on 2 and 4 days after transplantation.Conclusions: (l)The partial orthotopic liver transplantation technique in rats provides a ideal model for studies of liver regeneration. The hepatic graft has strong ability of regeneration . (2)Treatment of rHGF significantly augments the regeneration of graft after partial orthotopic liver transplantation in rats.