Experimental study of the effects of deletion variant of hepatocyte growth factor on hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: Hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is still a serious complication following liver surgery. The effect of the deletion variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) on hepatic IR injury was examined in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups after 90 min of partial liver ischaemia: the dHGF group which was given dHGF 0.5 mg/kg intravenously immediately after reperfusion, followed by 0.5 mg/kg every 12 h, and the control group, which received vehicle buffer only. Serum chemistry, histopathological findings and liver weights were compared between the groups. RESULTS: In the dHGF group, the increase in serum alanine transaminase and hyaluronic acid levels was significantly reduced, and the serum albumin level increased after reperfusion. The extent of hepatic necrosis 24 h after reperfusion was decreased in the dHGF group. Moreover, the proportion of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick end labelling-positive hepatocytes 6 h after reperfusion was reduced in the dHGF group. The non-ischaemic-, ischaemic- and whole-liver weight : body-weight ratio significantly increased in the dHGF group after reperfusion. The proportion of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive hepatocytes in the dHGF group markedly increased after 6 h after reperfusion in the non-ischaemic lobes, while in the ischaemic lobes it increased 24 h after reperfusion. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that dHGF not only improves recovery from IR injury, but also accelerates recovery from these injuries. dHGF may be an effective pharmacological agent for prevention and treatment of hepatic IR injury.     

Effects of deletion variant of hepatocyte growth factor on reduced-size liver transplantation in rats.

BACKGROUND: The deletion variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) exerts mitogenic and antifibrotic effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dHGF on rats that had undergone syngeneic or allogeneic reduced-size (60%) orthotopic liver transplantation (ROLT). METHODS: Starting immediately after the syngeneic (Lewis to Lewis) and allogeneic (Lewis to Brown Norway) ROLT, 500 microg/kg dHGF was administered i.v. twice a day until the day the rats were killed. Its effect on hepatic graft weight, regeneration, and biochemical parameters was evaluated. RESULTS: dHGF promoted restoration of the liver volume and liver regeneration as well as protein synthesis in the rats that underwent syngeneic ROLT. In the rats that underwent allogeneic ROLT, dHGF reduced the level of serum cytosolic enzymes related to acute cellular rejection, but a significant improvement in liver regeneration and protein synthesis was not seen. When tacrolimus was administered to prevent rejection of the allogeneic grafts, the beneficial effect of dHGF was apparent, and was as beneficial as in syngeneic ROLT. CONCLUSIONS: Administering dHGF after liver transplantation augments the regeneration and functional recovery of partial liver grafts and reduces hepatocyte injury in acute cellular rejection.     

Effects of ischemic preconditioning on regenerative capacity of hepatocyte in the ischemically damaged rat livers

BACKGROUND: Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy is regulated by several factors that activate or inhibit hepatocyte proliferation. A short period of ischemia-reperfusion (IR), called ischemic preconditioning (IPC), protects the liver against subsequent sustained ischemic insults. The present study investigated the effects of IPC on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy under IR in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to 45 min of total hepatic ischemia, and 70% hepatectomy was performed just before reperfusion. Animals were pre-treated with either IPC (10/15 min) (IPC + PHx group) or not (ischemia + PHx). The survival rate, serum transaminases, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-6 levels, hepatocyte proliferation and histological change of the remnant liver were measured in both groups and compared with non-ischemic controls subjected to 70% hepatectomy alone (PHx group). RESULTS: The survival rate was significantly better in the IPC + PHx group than in the ischemia + PHx group. Furthermore, IPC reduced liver injury determined by liver histology and serum transaminases. There was an early rise in serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in the ischemia + PHx group. Compared with non-ischemic controls, IPC significantly decreased TNF-alpha, but not IL-6 during the late (24 and 48 h) phases of reperfusion. Rats subjected to 70% hepatectomy and 45 min of hepatic ischemia showed significantly reduced hepatocyte proliferation (mitotic index, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and relative liver weight) when compared with animals subjected to hepatectomy alone. However, hepatocyte proliferation was markedly increased in rats pretreatment with IPC when compared with ischemic controls. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ischemic pre-conditioning ameliorates the hepatic injury associated with ischemia-reperfusion and has a stimulatory effect on liver cell regeneration that may make it valuable as a hepatoprotective modality. Il-6 appears to be key mediator in promoting regeneration after combined ischemia and hepatic resection.     

Deletion variant of hepatocyte growth factor prolongs allograft survival after liver transplantation in rats.

BACKGROUND: Despite continued progress in the development of immunosuppressive agents, allograft rejection remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. We examined the effect of the deletion variant of hepatocyte growth factor (dHGF) on allograft rejection after liver transplantation. METHODS: Male Dark Agouti rats (RT1a) were selected as donors and male Lewis rats (RT1l) as recipients for a rejection model. The recipients were divided into 2 groups after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx): in the dHGF group dHGF was given intravenously twice a day (1 mg/kg/day) after OLTx, whereas in the control group vehicle buffer was given intravenously daily twice after OLTx. The survival period, serum chemistry studies, and histopathologic findings were then compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The mean survival period after OLTx in the dHGF group was significantly longer than that in the control group (21.4 +/- 1.3 days vs 11.8 +/- 0.4 days, P < .001). On the 10th posttransplant day the serum albumin level significantly improved in the dHGF group (P < .01), and the serum total bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly lower in the dHGF group (P < .01 and P < .05, respectively). On the 10th posttransplant day a histologic examination revealed no apparent difference in the severity of rejection between the 2 groups. The number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive hepatocytes in the dHGF group significantly increased (P < .01), whereas the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling-positive hepatocytes were significantly reduced in the dHGF group (P < .01) in comparison with those in the control group. CONCLUSION: dHGF has an antiapoptotic property as well as a proliferative and protective effect on hepatocytes under allograft rejection. dHGF might serve as a novel agent for reducing the harmful effects of hepatic allograft rejection in rats.     

Treating liver cirrhosis in dogs with hepatocyte growth factor gene therapy via the hepatic artery

Background/purpose  

Liver cirrhosis, an irreversible result of chronic liver disease, has had no effective therapy except liver transplantation. We previously reported successful therapy of liver cirrhosis in rats using the hepatocyte growth factor gene. We presently performed hepatocyte growth factor gene therapy in dogs with liver cirrhosis to examine the feasibility for clinical use.     

Beneficial effect of hyperbaric oxygenation on liver regeneration in cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: Underlying hepatic injury and cirrhosis are leading factors that interfere with the post-operative liver regeneration and function. Hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) has been reported to ameliorate the ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver, to induce compensatory hypertrophy of the predicted remnant liver in rats after portal vein ligation and to augment liver regeneration after hepatectomy in non-cirrhotic rats. Our aim was to determine the effect of HBO treatment on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in normal and cirrhotic mice in this experimental study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of HBO on liver regeneration was studied in a mice model combining carbon tetrachloride induced cirrhosis and partial hepatectomy. Mice were divided into four groups: Control, cirrhotic, non-cirrhotic HBO-treated, and cirrhotic HBO-treated. All animals underwent 40% hepatectomy. Liver regeneration was evaluated by the proliferating cell nuclear antigen-labeling index. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels were measured to evaluate liver injury. RESULTS: Serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly decreased in HBO-treated cirrhotic group compared to cirrhosis group after hepatectomy (P = 0.001 and P = 0.014, respectively). The proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index was significantly higher in HBO treated cirrhotic group than in cirrhotic group after hepatectomy (P = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that HBO treatment improves liver functions and augments hepatocyte regeneration in cirrhotic mice after hepatectomy. Post-operative HBO treatment may have a beneficial effect on post-operative liver function and regeneration in cirrhotic patients.     

Recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor protects the liver against hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND: Recent evidence indicates that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has a cytoprotective effect against hepatic injury caused by hepatotoxins and inflammatory cytokines. Studies were performed to determine whether HGF influences the survival rate of rats subjected to hepatic warm ischemia/reperfusion (WI/Rp) injury. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to total or segmental hepatic ischemia by occluding the hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile duct with a microvascular clip. Rats were treated with four intravenous injections of recombinant human HGF (rhHGF 1 mg/kg) or the vehicle 72, 48, 24, and 12 h before surgery. RESULTS: None of the eight animals in the control group were alive 12 h after total hepatic WI/Rp. Seven of eight animals in the rhHGF-treated group were alive more than 2 days after the reperfusion. In the model of segmental hepatic ischemia, rhHGF inhibited the increase in cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant in serum. The number of neutrophils infiltrating the liver was significantly lower in the rhHGF-treated group than in the control group. rhHGF prevented increases in the activity of serum alanine transaminase and in hepatic necrosis. Experiments with proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining demonstrated that hepatocyte proliferation markedly increased in rhHGF-treated rats as compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that HGF facilitates recovery of the liver from hepatic WI/Rp injury, at least in part through the prevention of neutrophil infiltration and the activation of hepatocyte proliferation.     

Augmentative effect of cyclosporin A on rat liver regeneration: influence on hepatocyte growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta(1).

We investigated the effect of cyclosporin A (CsA) on rat liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy with reference to cytokine production. Rats were divided into two groups: those without CsA pretreatment (group 1) and those with CsA pretreatment (group 2). Animals were given olive oil vehicle or CsA (10 mg/kg) dissolved in olive oil daily by gavage from 4 to 1 days before hepatectomy. The ratio of regenerating liver weight to initial body weight in group 2 was significantly higher than that in group 1 at 72 h. Although a peak 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine labeling index was found at 24 h after hepatectomy in both groups, the peak value in the CsA-treated animals was significantly higher than in controls. In both groups, hepatocyte growth factor concentrations in both plasma and liver tissue showed maximal values at 12 h. Liver tissue values in group 2, however, were significantly higher from 1 to 12 h compared to group 1. Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) concentrations showed minimal serial changes in group 1, while those in liver tissue of group 2 rats were significantly lower than in group 1. Plasma TGF-beta(1) concentrations did not differ. These results suggest that upregulation of hepatic regeneration with CsA pretreatment might be attributed in part to changes in production of these mitogenic and mitoinhibitory cytokines.     

表达HGF的骨髓间充质干细胞促进小移植肝早期肝再生

目的 建立大鼠小体积肝移植模型,输注表达人肝细胞生长因子(human hepatocyte growth factor,hHGF)的骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs),研究其在移植早期对小移植肝促再生作用.方法 将已建立的表达hHGF和绿色荧光蛋白(green fluorescence protein,GFP)的MSCs,分别命名为HGF/MSCs,GFP/Mscs.建立大鼠30%肝移植模型.受体分为4组,实验组输注5×106HGF/MSCs;对照组则分别输注相同体积的生理盐水(PS),5×106 GFP/MSCs或1.0×109 pfu含hHGF的重组腺病毒液(Ad-HGF).分别于术后1,3,5,7 d各组随机抽取5只大鼠处死.取血检测血清ALT和hHGF.记录移植物湿重.取肝组织检测hHGF、c-met表达,以及肝细胞凋亡和增殖活性.另每组15只,分组同上,用于观察生存期.结果 PS组大鼠7 d生存率33.3%;组织学及血清学检查示术后肝脏损伤重,汇管区单核细胞浸润多;而实验组大鼠7 d生存率为73.3%.肝脏损伤轻,炎性细胞浸润少;实验组移植肝再生较PS组明显增加.结论 大鼠部分肝移植后,输注HGF/MSCs能够保护小体积移植肝,促进小移植肝再生,提高7 d生存率.     

肝细胞凋亡率改变对肝再生过程的调控作用研究

目的 探讨肝部分切除(partial hepatectomy,PH)后TGF-β1诱导的肝细胞凋亡率的改变在肝再生不同阶段中的作用.方法 建立70%肝切除模型,原位灌注分离正常和PH后1,3,5,7 d大鼠的肝细胞,流式细胞检测各组肝细胞的凋亡率;用DNA荧光染料Hoechst33258对分离培养的原代肝细胞进行染色,荧光显微镜观察TGF-β1(5 μg/L)诱导的凋亡;免疫细胞化学检测TGF-β1对原代肝细胞Bcl-2表达的影响.结果 分离肝细胞的活率达92%;正常肝细胞的凋亡率为(18.89±3.14)%,PH后1 d肝细胞凋亡率为(11.85±2.51)%,1 d后开始下降,第3天降至最低,而后逐渐升高,第7天为(28.82±5.53)%;正常大鼠肝细胞经TGF-β1作用后凋亡率为(58.13±6.63)%,高于对照组(17.81±3.19)%.有显著差异(P＜0.05);而PH后1,3,5 d分离的肝细胞经过和未经过TGF-β1诱导的凋亡率相比无差别;Bcl-2的表达在PH后早期(1～3 d)分离的肝细胞中逐渐升高;经TGF-β1作用后Bcl-2的表达明显下降.结论 TGF-β1诱导的肝细胞凋亡率在肝再生不同阶段有明显差异,对于促进和终止肝再生可能具有重要的调控作用.     

化学去细胞异体神经复合肝细胞生长因子修复周围神经缺损的研究

目的 研究化学去细胞异体神经复合人肝细胞生长因子(HGF)修复周围神经缺损的作用.方法 体外试验检测携带人肝细胞生长因子基冈的重组腺病毒(Ad-HGF)对小鼠骨骼肌细胞的转染效率以及转染细胞对目的 蛋白的表达.化学玄细胞异体神经修复大鼠坐骨神经10mm缺损后,近、远端吻合口附近肌肉分别注射腺病毒介导的人肝细胞生长因子(Ad-HGF),与自体神经移植组对照,通过步态分析、肌肉湿重测定、轴突生长速率测定、神经电生理、计算机图像分析等指标评价神经移植后再生效果.结果 流式细胞仪结果表明,随着病毒滴度的增加,Ad-HGF对骨骼肌细胞的转染不断增加.骨骼肌细胞对目的 蛋白(HGF)的表达可以持续两周.大鼠动物实验术后16周,去细胞异体神经可以修复周罔神经缺损,同自体神经移植对比,肝细胞生长因子明显增强了去细胞异体神经的神经再生能力.结论 复合肝细胞生K因子的化学去细胞异体神经能促进神经轴突牛长速度,显著增加移植物内新生血管,满意修复一定长度周围神经缺损,可以成为一种有效的周围神经组织工程修复材料.     

The preventive effect of recombinant human hepatocyte growth factor for hepatic steatosis in a rat model of short bowel syndrome

PurposeShort bowel syndrome (SBS) patients require total parenteral nutrition (TPN) following massive small bowel resection (SBR), which may cause intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), a life-threatening complication. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) acts as a potent hepatocyte mitogen with anti inflammatory and antioxidant actions. The present study evaluated the effect of recombinant human HGF (rh-HGF) on SBR and subsequent IFALD using a parentally fed rat model of SBS.MethodsRats underwent jugular vein catheterization for continuous TPN and 90% SBR. They were divided into 2 groups: TPN alone (SBS/TPN group: n = 7) or TPN plus the intravenous administration of rh-HGF (0.3 mg/kg/day) (SBS/TPN+HGF group: n = 7). On day 7, their tissues and stool were harvested to evaluate the effects of HGF.ResultsRegarding the histological findings, based on the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score, the SBS/TPN+HGF group showed significantly less hepatic steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration than the SBS/TPN group (NAFLD activity score, 4.00 ± 1.83 vs. 1.00 ± 0.82; p < 0.01). The SBS/TPN+HGF group showed a higher expression of Farnesoid X receptor in the liver and lower expression of Toll-like receptor 4 in the ileum than the SBS/TPN group. Regarding the composition of the bacterial gut microbiota, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were decreased in the SBS/TPN+HGF group compared with the SBS/TPN group.ConclusionIn our SBS with TPN rat model, rh-HGF administration had a preventive effect against hepatic steatosis and dysbiosis. rh-HGF may therefore be a potentially effective therapeutic agent for SBS and subsequent IFALD.Type of studyExperimental research.     

Protective effect of propranolol in the treatment of ischemically damaged canine kidneys prior to transplantation.

Warm ischemia is a potential problem during the harvesting of cadaveric kidneys for transplantation purposes. This ischemia can cause impaired renal function following transplantation. The purpose of our study was to determine whether the beta-adrenergic blocking agent propranolol was effective in improving renal function after ischemia. Dog kidneys were subjected to 30 minutes of warm ischemia followed by hypothermic pulsatile preservation for 24 hours. The kidneys then were autotransplanted with immediate contralateral nephrectomy. In this model only 50% of the untreated control group survived. Three different protocols using propranolol were tested. Administration of propranolol to dogs before the ischemic period, or installation of propranolol into the renal artery at the start of the ischemia, or addition of propranolol to the preservation perfusate lessened the severity of acute tubular necrosis and resulted in 100% long-term survival. Although the mechanism was not investigated, it has been suggested that propranolol is acting through its blockade of beta-mediated renin release and/or through its so-called membrane-stabilizing effect.     

Transplantation of human hepatocytes cultured with deleted variant of hepatocyte growth factor prolongs the survival of mice with acute liver failure

BACKGROUND: Considering the scarcity of donor livers, it is extremely important to establish a functional culture method for isolated hepatocytes. As a tool for maintaining hepatocyte functions in vitro, dHGF, a variant of HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) with a deletion of five amino acids, attracted our attention because it is less cytotoxic compared with HGF. METHODS: We evaluated growth, albumin production, metabolizing abilities of ammonia, lidocaine, and diazepam of human hepatocytes in the presence of dHGF (10-1000 ng/ml). The gene expression of liver markers was comparatively analyzed. The effect of intrasplenic transplantation of dHGF-treated human hepatocytes into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice was evaluated in an acute liver failure (ALF) model induced by D-galactosamine (D-gal). RESULTS: When 100 ng/ml of dHGF was utilized, metabolism rates of ammonia, lidocaine, and diazepam and albumin production per unit cell significantly increased. The gene expression analysis demonstrated the enhanced expression of albumin, HNF-4alpha, and C/EBPalpha in the hepatocytes treated with 100 ng/ml of dHGF. Transplantation of such hepatocytes prolonged the survival of the SCID mice with ALF induced by D-gal. CONCLUSIONS: The present work clearly demonstrates the usefulness of dHGF (100 ng/ml) for maintaining the differentiated functions of human hepatocytes in tissue culture.