Regulating factors of liver regeneration after hepatectomy

Abstract

The factors regulating liver regeneration were studied by measuring changes in the liver volume and serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels after hepatectomy. Changes in the liver volumes were studied in 68 hepatectomized patients, including (A) hepatoma patients who had chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis (n = 44) and (B) metastatic liver cancer patients who had normal liver parenchyma (n = 24). The hepatic volume increased by 13.8% of the remnant hepatic volume in group A and by 49.1% in group B. The examined factors included the percentage of resected liver volume (%RLV) and the results of laboratory tests. Regression analysis showed that in group A, both %RLV (beta = 0.46) and the serum total bilirubin (T-Bil) level (beta = -0.33) correlated significantly with the extent of liver regeneration and that in group B, only %RLV (beta = 0.78) correlated significantly with the regeneration. Serum HGF levels after hepatectomy were studied in 21 hepatectomized patients, including 11 hepatoma patients and 10 patients with some types of metastatic liver cancer. Serum HGF levels increased significantly after surgery in all 21 patients. Regression analysis, however, showed that the change in HGF was related to liver cirrhosis (beta = 0.46) and to the maximal postoperative T-Bil level (beta = 0.51) but not to the extent of liver regeneration after hepatectomy. These results suggest that liver regeneration is regulated primarily by factors relating to the percentage of the resected liver parenchyma and that serum HGF levels do not directly relate to liver regeneration after surgery.

Equivalent Outcomes After Anatomical and Non-anatomical Resection of Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Preserved Liver Function

“…In the present study, the resected liver volume was less in the NAR group than the AR group despite similar tumor size, although postoperative changes in the above laboratory data were not evaluated. Considering that the resected liver volume is reported to influence postoperative liver regeneration, it is possible that the NAR offers advantages over AR with respect to the postoperative liver function [28][29][30]. Collectively, considering the similar outcome in AR and NAR, NAR seems to be more advantageous in hepatic resection for HCC.…”

Effect of thoracic irradiation on hepatocyte growth factor in rats lung and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with thoracic malignancies

“…HGF is not only a strong mitogen and motogen as a result of regeneration, but also a cytokine having potential cytoprotection as reported in liver and kidney [15,16]. If HGF can prevent radiation lung injury, HGF may have the potential to be used for that purpose.…”

“…The concentration of HGF in peripheral blood was found to rise after partial resection of normal liver both in patients and experimental animals [13], while patients with hepatic failure following hepatectomy showed significantly higher serum HGF levels [14,15]. Likewise, a slight increase in serum HGF levels in patients with hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis was noted [16].…”

Thermostable hepatocyte growth factor and energy metabolism in rats after partial hepatectomy

“…The role of HGF in regeneration, tumor transformation, and diseases of the liver and other organs has been extensively studied [10,11,14]. The expression of HGF and its receptor, the product of c-met oncogene, has been detected in cultured hepatocytes and various tissues [12].The level of HGF in the liver and serum increased after PHE, in experimental toxic hepatitis, liver involvement in ischemia or injury, and in patients after removal of hepatoma and with metastatic cancer of the liver [14]. HGF prevents postoperative damage to the liver [12].…”

“…The role of HGF in regeneration, tumor transformation, and diseases of the liver and other organs has been extensively studied [10,11,14]. The expression of HGF and its receptor, the product of c-met oncogene, has been detected in cultured hepatocytes and various tissues [12].…”