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Hormonal factors concerned with liver regeneration
Ciba Foundation Symposium
|January 1, 1977
Summary
Combined insulin and glucagon promote liver regeneration. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) alone initiates DNA synthesis in rat livers, with enhanced effects when combined with insulin or glucagon.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Insulin and glucagon are known to promote hepatic regeneration and survival in specific models.
- These hormones alone do not initiate hepatocyte proliferation in intact livers, suggesting the need for other factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in initiating hepatocyte proliferation in vivo.
- To determine if EGF, in combination with insulin or glucagon, can stimulate liver growth.
Main Methods:
- Continuous intraperitoneal infusion of EGF in adult rats.
- Assessment of DNA synthesis via [3H] thymidine incorporation in liver tissue.
- Evaluation of the effects of EGF alone and in combination with insulin or glucagon.
Main Results:
- Continuous intraperitoneal infusion of EGF initiated DNA synthesis in adult rat livers.
- The DNA labeling observed with EGF alone was modest.
- Co-administration of glucagon or insulin with EGF augmented the DNA labeling response.
Conclusions:
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF) can initiate DNA synthesis in the liver in vivo.
- The proliferative response to EGF is enhanced by the concurrent administration of insulin or glucagon.
- Further research is needed to determine the physiological role of EGF in normal liver growth regulation.