Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 after 70% liver resection in rats

Abstract

We suggest that stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 improves function and liver regeneration after 70% liver resection in rats since it can rescue otherwise severe liver lesions after overdose of paracetamol, diclofenac, ibuprofen, insulin, CCl4 or chronic alcohol abuse (for review see, i.e., Curr Pharm Des. 2012). Stable BPC 157 was applied (10 μg, 10 ng) (/kg) either ip once daily or in drinking water (0.16 μg; 0.16 ng/ml/12ml/day) till the sacrifice (at day 3, 7, 14, 21, 28). BPC 157‐rats maintained the weight, exhibited better liver regeneration based on better liver mass/body weight ratio (i.e., 14 days: 0.037 +/−0.004 (BPC 157) vs. 0.023+/− 0.005 (control); 28 days: 0.053+/−0.007 (BPC 157) vs. 0.03 +/− 0.004 (control)) and larger liver volume in pentadecapeptide BPC 157‐rats. Unlike constantly increased AST, ALT, bilirubine levels in controls, BPC 157‐rats after a short post‐surgery increase, mostly presented values comparable to non‐resected animals (conforming functional liver regeneration). Microscopically, controls presented larger areas of liver steatosis and liver fibrosis unlike BPC 157‐rats. Although binuclear cells were sporadically seen in controls, there were less hepatocytes with mitosis compared to all BPC 157 regimens. Supported by Grant 108–1083570‐3635, Croatia