HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR GENE-EXPRESSION AFTER MASSIVE SMALL-BOWEL RESECTION - LACK OF STIMULATION IN LUNG AND LIVER

Both hepatic and renal regeneration are associated with rapid increase s in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA levels, not only in the regen erating tissue, but also in the lung. In this study, changes in the le vels of HGF mRNA in the terminal ileum and also in distal organs in th e rat following massive small bowel resection (MSBR) have been investi gated with a sensitive S1 nuclease assay. HGF mRNA levels are low in t he ileum and increase only transiently post-MSBR. In contrast to the o ther models of regeneration, no increase in HGF mRNA levels is observe d in the lung nor in kidney and liver post-MSBR. This suggests that th e ileum does not release ''injurin'', the putative humoral mediator of the response of the lung observed after hepatectomy or nephrectomy.