Regeneration after in situ flushing of partially hepatectomised rat livers

The effect of various components of the transplant procedure upon the regenerative process in reduced liver grafts is not known. In this study, partially hepatectomised rat liver remnants were flushed with 5 ml of either Ringer's lactate, Euro Collins solution or University of Wisconsin solution at 4 degrees C and then 5 ml Ringer's lactate at 4 degrees C. After partial hepatectomy alone, the peak increase in thymidine kinase was measured at 24 hours (36,021 +/- 8,060 disintegrations per minute per milligram protein; the mitotic index was 25 +/- 7). In all the groups in which the remnant was flushed, peak thymidine kinase and mitotic index were measured at 48 hours. The pattern of ornithine decarboxylase activity was disorganised in all groups. Flushing of the liver remnant therefore delays the regenerative response by 24 hours. In large animals, including humans, regeneration appears to commence within the first 5 days after resection. A comparable delay doubling this time might coincide with the onset of rejection and further compromise liver function.