Lateral hypothalamic lesions facilitate hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats

It has been reported that ventromedial hypothalamic lesions facilitate hepatic regeneration through the hepatic vagal nerve after partial hepatectomy. However, whether the lateral area of the hypothalamus is involved in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is unknown. To determine the role of the lateral hypothalamic area in this phenomenon, we studied hepatic DNA synthesis during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy with bilateral lesions of the area. Lesioning of the lateral hypothalamus accelerated the increase in hepatic DNA synthesis and raised the peak level of [methyl-3H]thymidine incorporation after partial hepatectomy. These effects of hypothalamic lesioning were inhibited by combined hepatic vagotomy and sympathectomy. Our results demonstrate that lesioning of the lateral hypothalamus promotes hepatic regeneration through the autonomic nervous system after partial hepatectomy and suggest that the lateral hypothalamic area is involved in liver regeneration through neural mediation.