PROLIFERATING CELL NUCLEAR ANTIGEN, PLASMA FIBRONECTIN, AND LIVER-REGENERATION RATE AFTER 70 PERCENT HEPATECTOMY IN NORMAL AND CIRRHOTIC RATS

Background. The difference in liver regeneration rate in relation to p roliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and plasma fibronectin level in the cirrhotic and control liver after 70% hepatectomy were examined in the rat. Methods. Liver cirrhosis was induced by intraperitoneal i njection of thioacetamide for 12 weeks; rats without thioacetamide adm inistration served as controls. On the day before and days 1, 2, 3, an d 7 after 70% hepatectomy, PCNA labeling index of hepatocyte, plasma f ibronectin level, and percentage of the initial liver weight were dete rmined. Results. Liver regeneration rate as expressed by percent of in itial liver weight was impaired in the cirrhotic liver, and significan tly lower regeneration rate was observed on days 3 and 7 after hepatec tomy in the cirrhotic rats as compared with controls. PCNA labeling in dex was higher in the cirrhotic liver before hepatectomy. Little chang e of PCNA labeling index was observed in the cirrhotic liver, although the index increased significantly in the control liver; significantly higher values were observed on days 1, 2, and 3, with the maximal val ue on day 2 after hepatectomy. The plasma fibronectin level was signif icantly lower in the cirrhotic rat before and after hepatectomy. Concl usions. The results show that liver regeneration is impaired in the ci rrhotic liver associated with little activation of PCNA and with lower plasma fibronectin level.