Effects of TJN-101 ((+)-(6s,7s,R-biar)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,2,3,12-tetramethoxy-6,7 -dimethyl-10,11-methylenedioxy-6-dibenzo [a,c] cyclooctenol) on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, and on regional hepatic blood flow and fine structure of the liver in normal rats

Effects of TJN-101, one of the components isolated from Schizandra fruits, on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy, and on regional hepatic blood flow and fine structure of the liver were investigated in normal rats. TJN-101, which was administered orally at the doses of 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg/day for 4 days after partial hepatectomy, increased the regeneration rate of the liver and improved the serum retention rate of BSP which had been dose-dependently decreased after the operation. Elevation of serum protein to control levels, elevation of serum LCAT activity, decrease in plasma insulin and increase in plasma glucagon were all dose-dependent responses to TJN-101. The mitotic index on the 5th day after the operation was hardly influenced by TJN-101. Regional hepatic blood flow was increased after intraduodenal administration of TJN-101 (30 and 100 mg/kg). Ultrastructural studies of liver tissue using the transmission electron microscope revealed that TJN-101 stimulated an increase in rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the groups receiving 100 and 300 mg/kg/day. These results suggest that TJN-101 accelerates both the proliferation of hepatocytes and the recovery of liver function after partial hepatectomy and increases hepatic blood flow. It is also thought that the liver enlargement caused by repeated administration of TJN-101 is associated with the proliferation of endoplasmic reticulum.