Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2013; 19(34): 5700-5705
Published online Sep 14, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i34.5700
Chronological changes in the liver after temporary partial portal venous occlusion
Koji Hamasaki, Susumu Eguchi, Akihiko Soyama, Masaaki Hidaka, Mitsuhisa Takatsuki, Fumihiko Fujita, Kengo Kanetaka, Shigeki Minami, Tamotsu Kuroki
Koji Hamasaki, Susumu Eguchi, Akihiko Soyama, Masaaki Hidaka, Mitsuhisa Takatsuki, Fumihiko Fujita, Kengo Kanetaka, Shigeki Minami, Tamotsu Kuroki, Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan
Author contributions: Kuroki T and Eguchi S designed the research; Hamasaki K, Soyama S and Hidaka M performed the research; Hamasaki K and Soyama A contributed analytical tools; Takatsuki M, Fujita F, Kanetaka K and Minami S analyzed the data; Hamasaki K and Eguchi S wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Susumu Eguchi, MD, FACS, FEBS, Department of Surgery, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-7-1 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8501, Japan. sueguchi@net.nagasaki-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-95-8197316 Fax: +81-95-8197319
Received: May 5, 2013
Revised: June 8, 2013
Accepted: July 23, 2013
Published online: September 14, 2013
Abstract

AIM: To investigate time-dependent changes caused by temporal portal vein obstruction and subsequent reperfusion in the lobe with or without an occluded portal vein.

METHODS: The portal vein (PV) of the anterior lobe of the liver of a male Wistar rat (8 wk-old) was obstructed (70%) for 12, 24, 36 and 48 h, respectively, and models were sacrificed at 48 h after reperfusion (each group: n = 10). The histological changes and the status of liver regeneration were compared between a liver biopsy performed on each lobe after temporary obstruction of the portal vein in the same rat liver, and the liver extracted at the time of sacrifice (48 h after reperfusion).

RESULTS: With regard to the obstructed lobe, the liver weight/body weight ratio significantly decreased according to obstruction time. On the other hand, in the non-obstructed lobe, there were no significant differences within each group. The duration of PV occlusion did not seem to be strong enough to introduce liver weight increase. Stimulation of liver regeneration was brought about in the non-occluded lobe by 12-h occlusion, and was sustained even at 48 h after reperfusion. The obstructed lobe atrophied with the passage of time in the obstructed state. However, the proliferating-cell nuclear antigen labeling index also increased at 48 h after reperfusion, and a repair mechanism was observed.

CONCLUSION: Temporary blood flow obstruction of the portal vein may become a significant trigger for liver regeneration, even with an obstruction of 12 h.

Keywords: Temporary, Portal vein, Occlusion, Regeneration, Liver

Core tip: This paper describes the chronological effects of temporary portal venous branch ligation on liver regeneration in rats. These results imply that, in the future, it might be possible to control liver regeneration. In the clinical setting, we have just completely occluded the portal venous branch irreversibly.