Effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on hepatic regeneration after 70% hepatectomy in normal and cirrhotic rats

BackgroundPost-hepatectomy liver insufficiency is one of the most serious postoperative problems and its prevention is important after major hepatic resection, especially in the cirrhotic liver. Some growth factors and cytokines appear to play important roles in liver regeneration. In the present study we have investigated the effects of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on hepatic regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic rats.MethodsA rat model of liver cirrhosis was prepared using thioacetamide (TAA) (a dose of 20 mg/100 g body w, intra-peritoneally) on three days a week for 12 weeks. Adult male rats were divided into four groups:Group 1 (n=10) no cirrhosis and no GM-CSF; Group 2 (n=10) no cirrhosis and GM-CSF; Group 3 (n=10) cirrhosis and no GM-CSF; and Group 4 (n=10) cirrhosis and GM-CSF. All the rats underwent a 70% hepatectomy, and GM-CSF was administrated immediately after operation in Groups 2 and 4. On postoperative days 2 and 7, fresh samples from the remnant liver were obtained to evaluate its regenerative capacity.The liver regenerative process was estimated by DNA synthesis, using flow cytometry.ResultsProliferation index (PI) of hepatocytes at 48 h was higher in Group 4 rats than Group 3 rats (p<0.05). On postoperative day 7, PI was elevated in Group 3 rats compared with Group 4 rats, but this difference was not statistically significant. In non-cirrhotic rats given GM-CSF, PI was increased compared with Group 1 rats at day 2 (p<0.05), but not at day 7.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that the proliferative capacity of liver cells is impaired and delayed after 70% PH in cirrhotic rat liver. GM-CSF administration might enhance the liver PI in both normal and TAA-induced cirrhotic rats.