Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the associations of the serial changes of serum levels of various growth factors with liver regeneration after hepatectomy in healthy liver donors. Sixteen healthy liver donors who underwent conventional liver resection were included. Serum levels of various growth factors before hepatectomy and on postoperative day (POD) 1, 3, 5 and 7 were measured. Liver volume data calculated by multi-detector computed tomography using workstation. The ratio of remnant liver volume on POD 0 to liver volume before the operation was 51% ± 20%. The ratio of liver volume on POD 14 to liver volume on POD 0 were inversely correlated with remnant liver volume on POD 0 (r = −0.91). The ratio of liver volume on POD 14 to liver volume on POD 0 were significantly correlated with serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels on POD 1 (r = 0.54), serum leptin levels on POD 1 (r = 0.54), and serum macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) levels on POD 5 (r = 0.76) and POD 7 (r = 0.80). These results suggest that early-phase elevation of serum levels of HGF, leptin and M-CSF may be associated with the acceleration of liver regeneration after hepatectomy in humans.
Highlights
Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment for end-stage liver diseases
We investigated the serial changes of serum levels of various growth factors after partial hepatectomy and the associations of these changes of various growth factors with liver regeneration after the operation in healthy liver donors
Early-phase elevations of serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), leptin and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) seemed to be associated with the acceleration of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy
Summary
Liver transplantation is the only curative treatment for end-stage liver diseases. In a setting of the shortage of liver grafts, many patients deteriorate as a result of disease progression or develop complications because of the lack of a timely suitable donor while waiting for a liver graft [1,2]. In addition to liver transplantation, new therapeutic agents for promoting liver regeneration are desired. The mechanisms of liver regeneration have been investigated in detail. Hepatocytes are primed by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 mainly produced by Kupffer cells, and proliferation and cell growth of hepatocytes are induced in response to transforming growth factor-α, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and epidermal growth factor [3]. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thrombopoietin (TPO) are shown to promote liver regeneration [4,5]
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