HUMORAL GROWTH-FACTORS IN PLASMA AND LIVER-TISSUE DURING LIVER-REGENERATION AND MALNUTRITION

Objective: To investigate the potential of a series of growth factors which may be involved in liver regeneration. Design: The concentration s of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha ( TGF-alpha) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were measured in p lasma and liver tissue 48h after liver resection or sham operation com bined with malnutrition. Methods: Forty-four rats were randomized to e ither semistarvation or ordinary food intake; half of each group was p artially hepatectomized, and the other half underwent a sham operation and served as controls. Growth factors were measured by radioimmunoas say. Results: Plasma EGF levels were increased following semistarvatio n and were also increased in plasma and liver tissue after 48h of live r regeneration. Tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels did not change fol lowing either malnutrition or liver regeneration. Insulin-like growth factor I levels were raised in liver tissue after 48 h of regeneration . Conclusion: These results suggest that EGF has a central role in liv er regeneration; the role of IGF-I is uncertain, while TGF-alpha does not seem to be involved in regeneration at 48 h.