Beneficial Effects of Prostaglandin E₁ Incorporated in Lipid Microspheres on Liver Injury and Regeneration after 90% Partial Hepatectomy in Rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess how the administration of prostaglandin E₁ incorporated in lipid microspheres (Lipo PGE₁) affects liver injury and regeneration after massive hepatectomy in rats. Two hundred and eight male Wistar rats underwent 90% partial hepatectomy. Lipo PGE₁ of 1, 10 or 30 μg/kg were administered intraperitoneally at 6 h prior to and 0 and 6 h after hepatectomy. Postoperative increases in serum GOT, total bilirubin, IL-6 and plasma endotoxin levels were significantly suppressed by Lipo PGE₁. The depressed phagocytic index and arterial ketone body ratio and hepatic DNA synthesis after 90% partial hepatectomy were significantly enhanced by Lipo PGE₁, which resulted in the improvement of survival. Lipo PGE₁ might bring about a protective effect on liver injury and an enhancement of liver regeneration after massive hepatectomy.

Simultaneous abrogation of NOS-2 and COX-2 activities is lethal in partially hepatectomised mice

“…Previous data showed that maximal expression of COX-2 occurs 16 h after PH, causing an increase in serum levels of PGE 2 [16,38]. Both pharmacological inhibition of COX-2 and gene inactivation in COX-2 KO mice result in impaired liver regeneration, whereas supply of PGs favors the regeneration process [39]. In this study, we have used a pharmacological approach, in view of the systemic defects associated with the COX-2 null phenotype that could interfere with the regeneration process [37].…”

Small-for-Size Syndrome in the Rat: Does Size or Technique Matter?

“…Ninety percent hepatectomy in rats was introduced into experimental surgery as a model of fulminant hepatic failure [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] showing a high lethality. Kubota et al [30] pioneered a surgical technique that allowed a 100% survival rate after 90% PH in rats.…”

Co-administration of prostaglandin E1 with somatostatin attenuates acute liver damage after massive hepatectomy in rats via inhibition of inflammatory responses, apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress

“…The intraportal infusion of PGE1 prevents the accumulation of excessive ascites and hyperbilirubinemia in patients with small-for-size graft (15). Moreover, it has been demonstrated that pretreatment of rats with PGE1 could improve the survival rate after massive hepatectomy by inhibiting apoptosis and stimulating hepatocyte proliferation as well as heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) accumulation (16)(17)(18)(19). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which PGE1 exerts its protective effects on rats after massive hepatectomy are not fully elucidated.…”