Liver regeneration in partially hepatectomized rats infused with carnitine and lipids

Male Wistar rats were subjected to 65-70% hepatectomy. Immediately after surgery a 6-hour infusion was given containing 115 kJ/kg b.w. of long-chain fatty acids (Nutralipid Spofa) (N) or N combined with L-carnitine (Carnitene Sigma Tau) in doses 8 mg (12.4 mumol), 40 mg (62 mumol) and 200 mg (310 mumol)/kg b.w. The rats were killed 6, 18, 21, 24 and 30 h after surgery. The results of our study demonstrate that infusion of lipids combined with carnitine, has a stimulating dose-dependent effect on liver regeneration in partially hepatectomized rats, excluding the low dose of carnitine--8 mg/kg. The dose of carnitine of 40 mg/kg had the highest stimulating effect on the course of the liver DNA synthesis, culminating 21 h after partial hepatectomy. Later, 24 and 30 h after hepatectomy, the mitotic activity of hepatocytes was highest in rats infused with carnitine in doses of 200 mg/kg b.w.