COMPARATIVE EFFECT OF PROTEINS, PEPTIDES, AND AMINO-ACID MIXTURES ON RECOVERY FROM 70-PERCENT HEPATECTOMY IN RATS

The effects of proteins, peptides, and amino acid mixtures on the reco very from 70% hepatectomy were compared in rats. In Experiment 1, the most suitable time for the comparison was studied. Rats weighing 250g after 70% hepatectomy were fed 20% casein diet. On day 0,1,2,3,4,6,8,1 1,15 post-operation, 3-5 rats were killed for the observation of recov ery. The recovery time, evaluated by daily food intake, body weight ga in, liver weight and compositions, and hematologic values was about 10 days. For the comparison of different nitrogen sources, we estimated that the 6th day after the operation when the animals did not fully re cover was suitable. In Experiment 2, rats of each group after hepatect omy were fed one of 14 experimental diets containing protein (3 types) , peptides (8 types), or amino acid mixture (3 types) for 5 days and k illed on the 6th day after the operation. Daily food intake, body weig ht gain, liver weight and compositions, and hematologic values were me asured and pathological examination was also done. The effect of diffe rent nitrogen sources were similar on the recovery after 70% hepatecto my with only a few minor exceptions in rats.