Experimental study on liver regeneration after simultaneous partial hepatectomy and pancreatectomy

In this study, we performed hepatectomy and pancreatectomy to assess the ph ysiological contribution of the pancreas, especially in terms of endocrine function to hepatic regeneration. Group 1 Wistar rats underwent 70% hepatec tomy and group 2 rats underwent 70% hepatectomy plus 50% pancreatectomy. Th e time course assessment of liver regeneration rates obtained by Fishback's formula demonstrated a difference in rates between the two groups as early as day 3 or day 7 after surgery. Since levels of both PCNA-positive cells and serum transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) were significantly h igher in the hepatectomy only group, we could prove the difference of liver regeneration between the two groups. We have concluded that pancreatectomy retards the liver regeneration initiation processes occurring from 24 h to 3 days after evisceration, Glucagon-insulin molar ratios most significantl y differed between the two groups 3 days after evisceration in the present study. This result was due to increased glucagon level of group 2 at day 3 after evisceration. Our findings suggest that 50% partial pancreatectomy in hibits the rate of hepatic regeneration, thereby altering the supply of pan creatic hormones, especially glucagon. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Lt d. All rights reserved.