The effect of vagotomy on hepatic regeneration in rats

Liver regeneration was studied in rats that had undergone a bilateral cervical vagotomy. DNA synthesis, measured as the incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA, AT 24 hr after partial hepatectomy was significantly reduced in vagotomized rats. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity was significantly less at 4 hr after partial hepatectomy in vagotomized rats but was equal to controls at 8 and 24 hr. This data suggest that the liver parenchyma receives vagal innervation and that this innervation may play a role in the control of liver regeneration.