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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Surgical Procedures for a Rat Model of Partial Orthotopic Liver Transplantation with Hepatic Arterial Reconstruction
Published on: March 7, 2013
Functional restoration of cirrhotic liver after partial hepatectomy in the rat
Masaji Hashimoto1, Goro Watanabe
1Department of Digestive Surgery, Toranomon Hospital and Okinaka Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Tokyo, Japan. masajih-ind@umin.ac.jp
Background/Aims:
Although cirrhosis is the terminal stage of various liver diseases, thanks to recent advances one might eliminate some causes of liver damage. Liver has a potent regeneration capacity. It is important to evaluate the regenerating cirrhotic liver after partial hepatectomy, morphologically and functionally, in the long term.
Methodology:
We evaluated the functional capacity of the rat liver rendered cirrhotic by orally administered thioacetamide, and examined the correlation between morphological and functional restoration after 2/3 hepatectomy in comparison with hepatectomized normal rats and sham-operated cirrhotic rats. Morphological restoration was evaluated by remnant liver weight, proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index, and fibrosis ratio. Functional restoration was evaluated by the indocyanine green disappearance rate and aminopyrine clearance.
Results:
Cirrhotic rats were functionally deteriorated in comparison with the normal rats. Morphological restoration in cirrhotic rats was delayed in comparison with normal rats. Functional restoration after 2/3 hepatectomy was advanced in comparison with morphological restoration. In comparison with sham-operated cirrhotic rats, functional restoration of the cirrhotic liver was accelerated by partial hepatectomy.
Conclusions:
In cirrhotic rats, functional restoration of the liver after 2/3 hepatectomy was advanced in comparison with morphological restoration. Partial hepatectomy seemed to promote functional restoration of the cirrhotic liver.
