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Effect of irinotecan on liver regeneration: an experimental study in rats
Background/Aims:
The aim of this study was to determine the histopathological changes caused by irinotecan and show the effect of these changes on liver regeneration.
Methodology:
In this experimental study 96 Winstar-Albino breed female rats were used. The animals were divided into two groups. Study group received intraperitoneal irinotecan weekly for four weeks. Control group received normal saline. One week after the last injection all animals had undergone 70% hepatectomy. Following 70% hepatectomy rats were sacrificed and liver tissue samples were obtained at 0, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours. Specimens were evaluated for steatosis, lobular inflammation and cellular swelling with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Liver regeneration was evaluated im munohistochemically using proliferating cell nuclear antigen activity index.
Results:
Hepatic steatosis was significantly more in the irinotecan group. Although lobular inflammation and cellular swelling were more prominent in the irinotecan group these values were not statistically significant. In both groups, regeneration reached to peak at 48th hour and returned to baseline at 120th hour. Liver regeneration indices were not different between the groups.
Conclusion:
It was shown that irinotecan did not affect the liver regeneration adversely. In order to show the effects of irinotecan on liver regeneration in humans further clinical studies are needed.
