Thyroxine as a stimulator of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy: an experimental animal study

ABSTRACT

Twenty six male albino rats were divided into a control group [6rats] [G] exposed to Sham operation and two experimental groups [Gl and G2] of 10 rats each. 2/3 partial hepatectomy [PH] was performed in Gl and T4 was administered orally in a dose of 4mg/kg 10 days prior to PH in G2. Animals were sacrificed 24 hours following PH and Sham operation. Liver sections were immunohistochemically stained for anti-cyclin Dl and anti-VEGF antibodies. Positive reaction was in the nuclei of hepatocytes and in lining of hepatic blood sinusoids respectively. The morphometric determination of the count of cyclin Dl positive nuclei and area% VEGF positive lining of the blood sinusoids was performed in the different groups. Multiple cyclin Dl positive nuclei were detected in liver sections of rats receiving thyroxine prior to PH confirmed by significant increase in the mean count of immuno-positive nuclei as compared to G and Gl. VEGF positive immunoreaction was in the lining of multiple hepatic blood sinusoids on thyroxine therapy proved morphometrically by a significant increase in mean area% in G2 versus Gl. The results showed a stimulating effect of thyroxine on liver regeneration following 2/3 partial hepatectomy evidenced by increased Cyclin D and sinusoidal endothelial VEGF expression