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©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Surg Proced. Nov 28, 2013; 3(3): 29-36
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.5412/wjsp.v3.i3.29
Published online Nov 28, 2013. doi: 10.5412/wjsp.v3.i3.29
Platelet therapy: A novel strategy for liver regeneration, anti-fibrosis, and anti-apoptosis
Kazuhiro Takahashi, Soichiro Murata, Nobuhiro Ohkohchi, Department of Surgery, Division of Gastroenterological and Hepatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplantation, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
Author contributions: Takahashi K, Murata S and Ohkohchi N contributed equally to this work; Takahashi K wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Nobuhiro Ohkohchi, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Gastroenterological and Hepatobiliary Surgery and Organ Transplantation, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennoudai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan. nokochi3@md.tsukuba.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-29-8533221 Fax: +81-29-8533222
Received: June 6, 2013
Revised: August 10, 2013
Accepted: September 14, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Revised: August 10, 2013
Accepted: September 14, 2013
Published online: November 28, 2013
Core Tip
Core tip: Platelets have conventionally been considered to exacerbate the inflammatory response and liver injury. Recently, some studies have demonstrated a role for platelets in promoting liver regeneration, improving liver fibrosis, and attenuating hepatitis. In this review, the experimental and clinical evidence that platelets accelerate liver regeneration and attenuate fibrosis and apoptosis are described, as are the mechanisms of action. Platelet therapies, such as thrombopoietin, thrombopoietin receptor agonists, and platelet transfusion, will play a promising role in the treatment of the various liver disorders that currently challenge the surgical field.