Therapeutic strategies to improve liver regeneration after hepatectomy

Abstract

Chronic liver disease is one of the most common diseases worldwide, and its prevalence is particularly high among adults aged 40–60 years; it takes a toll on productivity and causes significant economic burden. However, there are still no effective treatments that can fundamentally treat chronic liver disease. Although liver transplantation is considered the only effective treatment for chronic liver disease, it has limitations in that the pool of available donors is vastly insufficient for the number of potential recipients. Even if a patient undergoes liver transplantation, side effects such as immune rejection or bile duct complications could occur. In addition, impaired liver regeneration due to various causes, such as aging and metabolic disorders, may cause liver failure after liver resection, even leading to death. Therefore, further research on the liver regeneration process and therapeutic strategies to improve liver regeneration are needed. In this review, we describe the process of liver regeneration after hepatectomy, focusing on various cytokines and signaling pathways. In addition, we review treatment strategies that have been studied to date to improve liver regeneration, such as promotion of hepatocyte proliferation and metabolism and transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells. This review helps to understand the physiological processes involved in liver regeneration and provides basic knowledge for developing treatments for successful liver regeneration.

Correlation between the liver transection line localization and future liver remnant hypertrophy in associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy

“…Differences in hypertrophy dynamics of FLR of different sizes were investigated after partial hepatectomies, living liver donors, and partial liver graft recipients. These demonstrated that regeneration depends on body mass, TLV, and FLR (17)(18)(19). In addition, the liver regenerates faster in the recipient than in the donor, which applies to all grafts (left lobe, right lobe, and left lateral section).…”

Current Evidence and Perspectives of Cluster of Differentiation 44 in the Liver’s Physiology and Pathology

“…A study has reported that not only small hepatocytes but also mature hepatocytes express CD44 when the liver is partially removed and mitogenic stimuli are produced [97,98]. The liver exhibits a low rate of cellular turnover, and hepatocytes are mostly found in a quiescent state (G0) of the cell cycle under normal/healthy conditions [99][100][101]. When the liver is injured or partially removed, hepatocytes exit G0 in large numbers and undergo multiple rounds of division simultaneously, showing a remarkable capacity for regeneration.…”

Cognitive Fitness: Harnessing the Strength of Exerkines for Aging and Metabolic Challenges

“…This imbalance is greatly responsible for chronic inflammation. In elderlies [ 42 ] and individuals with metabolic disorders [ 43 ], mitochondrial dysfunction occurs alongside reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes, leading to heightened ROS levels. ROS is responsible for harmful effects on lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, including DNA.…”

“…Memory and other cognitive processes may be affected when metabolic disorders interfere with the brain’s energy metabolism [ 43 ].…”