The changes in circulating hepatocyte growth factor after partial hepatectomy in the baboon

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Primate Models

Background:

• No established baboon model for regenerative liver resection exists.
• Previous studies have not compared circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) response with DNA synthesis response post-liver resection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a baboon model for studying liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH).
• To compare the circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) response with the DNA synthetic response following liver resection in baboons.
• To investigate the role of HGF in initiating liver regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Performed 20% partial hepatectomy (PH) in 19 baboons and sham operations in 20.
• Measured circulating HGF levels using ELISA up to 5 days post-procedure.
• Assessed liver regeneration via DNA synthesis (tritiated thymidine assay of liver thymidine kinase [TK]) from serial liver biopsies.

Main Results:

• Circulating HGF levels were significantly influenced by liver resection and white cell count (WCC).
• Resection caused a peak in HGF levels between 2-3 days (for constant WCC), preceding the increase in liver DNA synthesis (peak TK at 2-4 days).
• HGF increase preceded the increase in liver DNA synthesis, supporting HGF's role in hepatocyte proliferation.

Conclusions:

• The baboon model of PH demonstrates that increased circulating HGF precedes increased liver DNA synthesis.
• This supports the role of HGF as an initiator of liver regeneration.
• Further investigation into the endocrine action of HGF is warranted in this primate model.