Influence of partial hepatectomy in rats on the activity of hepatic microsomal enzymatic systems

The influence of partial hepatectomy on the activity of the hepatic microsomal enzymatic systems was determined in rats. Cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b5, four mixed functional oxidase (MFO) activities (microsomal aniline hydroxylase, p-nitroanisole O-demethylase, aminopyrine N-demethylase and NADPH cytochrome c reductase) and glutathione levels were measured in unhepatectomized rats (control group) and in hepatectomized rats 12 h, 24 h, 3 days and 6 days after 70% hepatectomy. Following surgery the remaining lobes of the liver grow rapidly in order to restore the original liver mass. Partial hepatectomy significantly reduces cytochrome P-450 and b5 content in the remaining liver as well as the four MFO activities studied. But when the enzymatic systems are expressed as nmoles/mg microsomal protein, only cytochrome P-450 shows statistical differences. The hepatic biotransformation capacity of drugs and xenobiotics decreases during the regeneration period due to the reduction of hepatic mass rather than because of a reduction of their metabolic capacity. Glutathione levels are increased after partial hepatectomy but increased glutathione-dependent protector mechanisms are not expected.