ACTIVATION OF ZINC-DEPENDENT HEPATO-THYMIC AXIS DURING LIVER-REGENERATION IN HEPATECTOMIZED MICE

Zinc is an essential trace element for many biological functions inclu ding the processes of normal growth and functioning of the lymphatic s ystem. In this study, we estimated the role of the thymus in liver reg eneration following a 1/3 partial hepatectomy (pHx) as well as the rol e of zinc ions in these processes. The data have shown that fast liver growth is followed by marked hypoplasia of the thymus and a differenc e in the proportion of the T-cell phenotype (increase of double negati ve CD4(-)CD8(-) and single positive CD4(+) and CDB+ cells, and decreas e of double positive CD4(+)CD8(+) cells). Simultaneously, a significan t increase of tissue zind concentration was found both in liver and in thymus. The most pronounced increase was recorded 24 hours (liver) an d 48 hours (thymus) after pHx. These results pointed to the possibilit y that the accumulation of zinc in both organs might be linked to the activity of growth factors which are activated by pHx. Furthermore, it is possible that activation of zinc-dependent thymic hormones or inte rleukins facilitates the zinc formation of T-lymophocytes with morphog enetic functions participating in the control of liver regeneration.