HEPATOTROPHIC EFFECT OF CYCLOSPORINE-A ON ISCHEMIC RAT-LIVER

Liver ischemia is a common surgical situation. In this study the effec t of 15 minutes of warm ischemia on liver regeneration in the rat is a ssessed. From hepatocytic DNA content (cytophotometrically meassured), the Percentage of Regenerating Hepatocytes (PRH) and the Regenerative Gradient (RG) are calculated in normal livers and following different regenerative stimuli: partial hepatectomy (70%) and cyclosporine (20 mg/kg i.p.). In resting livers (both controls and CsA-treated) the PRH and the RG were not modified by ischemia. However, liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy was significantly decreased by ischemia . In the other hand, CsA has increased the PRH and the RG in the four situations analyzed: resting and regenerating liver, both normoperfuse d or following 15 minutes liver ischemia. It is concluded that the hep atotrophic effect of CsA is not nullified by warm liver ischemia.