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The Influence of Liver Resection on Intrahepatic Tumor Growth
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GROWTH INHIBITION BY SUBSTANCES IN LIVER
A M Brues1, Y Subbarow, E B Jackson
1Laboratories of the Collis P. Huntington Memorial Hospital, and the Department of Biological Chemistry of The Harvard Medical School, Boston.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Liver extracts contain substances that inhibit cell growth. Researchers isolated ethanolamine and other inhibitors, suggesting a physiological role in regulating cell proliferation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Liver tissue contains constituents that can inhibit cell growth.
- These inhibitory substances are initially bound to colloids and can be released via alcohol extraction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe tissue constituents inhibitory to cell growth extracted from liver.
- To isolate and characterize specific inhibitors and assess their physiological significance in growth regulation.
Main Methods:
- Extraction of inhibitory substances from liver tissue using alcohol.
- Isolation and purification of specific inhibitory compounds.
- Assessment of inhibitor properties, including biological activity and concentration-dependent effects.
Main Results:
- One inhibitor, ethanolamine, was isolated and found to have distinct biological properties.
- Inhibitory activity was not correlated with surface activity or pigmented constituents.
- Inhibitors were present in adult liver at concentrations near those inhibiting growth in vitro, but much lower in embryonic liver.
Conclusions:
- Liver contains multiple inhibitors of cell growth with physiological significance.
- These inhibitors regulate growth through reversible action across a wide concentration range, without damaging other cell functions.
- The differential concentration in adult versus embryonic liver suggests a role in developmental growth control.
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