Effect of the infusion of glucose, itralipid and nutramin on the initiation of rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy

Rats were subjected to 67% hepatectomy and immediately after the operation were given a 4-hour infusion containing 5 ml saline solution, 28% glucose, 10% Intralipid, 8% glucose or 8% Nutramin. The rats were killed 18, 21, 24 and 30 h after partial hepatectomy. The effect of the tested solutions on the rate of liver regeneration was evaluated from changes in DNA specific activity and the mitotic activity of the hepatocytes. The infusion of 28% and 8% glucose markedly inhibited the onset of regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Nutramin likewise had an inhibitory effect, but not so pronounced as that of glucose. Conversely, the infusion of a lipid emulsion (Intralipid) and saline stimulated the initiation of liver regeneration compared with glucose and/or Nutramin. The possible mechanisms of the effect of infusion of the individual tested solutions on the onset of liver regeneration are discussed.