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Augmentation of liver regeneration with glucagon after partial hepatectomy in rats
T L Hwang1, M F Chen, T J Chen
1Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung Medical College, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Abstract:
The direct stimulating effect of glucagon on partially hepatectomized rats was studied. Following a 70% hepatectomy, male Wister rats were divided into three groups. Group I received glucagon 0.8 mg/kg/day; group II received hydrocortisone 10 mg/kg/day; and group III received normal saline as a control. Their blood sugar levels and food intake were not significantly different. After one week, the regenerated livers in group I were larger (9.69 +/- 0.30 cm3 vs 8.29 +/- 0.34 cm3 in group II and 8.20 +/- 0.10 cm3 in group III), and heavier (9.83 +/- 0.28 g vs 8.52 +/- 0.33 g in group II and 8.75 +/- 0.21 g in group III) than those in the other two groups. The mitotic index in group I was also higher. The results suggest that glucagon has a direct hepatotrophic effect and enhances regeneration of the liver in rats.