Correlation between rat liver regeneration and mitochondrial energy metabolism

Abstract

The time course of changes in mitochondrial energy metabolism during liver regeneration, following partial hepatectomy, is analyzed. For 24 h after surgical operation, a lag phase in the time course of the growth of liver is observed. In this period mitochondria showed a decrease of: (1) the respiratory control index; (2) the rate of oxidative phosphorylation; (3) the amount of immunodetected β-F 1 and F 01-PVP subunits of F 0F 1-ATP synthase. No decrease, but instead a small increase in the content of mRNA for β-F 1 was observed in this phase. After this lag phase the growth of liver started, the content of mRNA for βF 1, as well as the level of immunodetected mitochondrial β-F 1 and F 01-PVP subunits, increased and oxidative phophorylation recovered. Analysis of the relative βF 1 protein/mRNA ratio indicates a decrease of βF 1 translational efficiency which remained low up to 72 h after partial hepatectomy and reached the same ratio of control at 96 h. It is concluded that the regenerating capability of rat liver is correlated with the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation.