LIVER-REGENERATION IN RATS AFTER COMPLETE AND PARTIAL OCCLUSION OF THE PORTAL BLOOD INFLUX

The role of portal blood influx in liver regeneration was studied in r ats. Partial hepatectomy with removal of 45% of the liver mass was per formed after end-to-side portacaval shunt (PCS) leading to complete di version of portal blood from the liver, or after side-to-side PCS caus ing partial portal blood deprivation. Liver resection was limited to 4 5% to avoid the high mortality rate in rats with vascular anastomoses and 70% hepatectomy, but it did not change the pattern of liver regene ration. The total RNA and DNA content. the rate of DNA synthesis and t he number of hepatocyte mitoses in regenerating liver were measured in comparison to sham-operated controls. Complete occlusion of the porta l blood influx did not block hepatoproliferative response. but caused a significant decrease and delay of regeneration. Partial preservation of portal flow in rats with side-to-side PCS markedly improved liver regeneration in comparison to end-to-side PCS, but the process was slo wer than in the control group.