Expression of Hedgehog signaling molecules in rat livers after partial hepatectomy

AIM: To detect the expression of Hedgehog signaling molecules in rat livers after partial hepatectomy. METHODS: The model of rat partial hepatectomy was established by resecting the middle and left lobes of the liver. Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: sham operation group (group A), partial hepatectomy group 1 (group B) and partial hepatectomy group 2 (group C). Hepatic tissues were collected 24 h after the operation in group A and group B, and 48 h after the operation in group C. The expression of Ki-67,Sonic Hedgehog(Shh),Indian Hedgehog(Ihh) and Glioblastoma-2(Gli-2) in the hepatic tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: The edema and spotty necrosis in the hepatic tissues were observed in group B and group C by HE staining. The cells of different dividing stages were found in the hepatic tissues of group C. Compared with group A, the expression of Ki-67, Shh, Ihh and Gli-2 in group B (P<0.01) and group C (P<0.01) was significantly elevated, and the expression levels in group C were higher than those in group B (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Hedgehog signaling in rat livers may be activated after partial hepatectomy and stimulate liver regeneration.     

Prognostic significance of CUEDC2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression of CUE domain-containing 2 (CUEDC2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to analyze its clinical prognostic significance. METHODS: Total 186 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues obtained from surgical HCC with detailed clinicopathological and follow-up data were used. The expression of CUEDC2 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationships between the expression of CUEDC2 and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The positive rate of CUEDC2 in HCC was 85.5% (159/186), among which, the low expression was 52.2% (97/186) and the high expression was 47.8% (89/186). CUEDC2 expression was correlated with serum alpha-fetal protein (AFP) level, tumor size, tumor number, tumor differentiation and TNM stage (P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that the patients with high expression of CUEDC2 were associated with significantly shorter overall survival and recurrence-free survival than those with low CUEDC2 expression (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed 3 independent prognostic factors including CUEDC2 expression, serum AFP and tumor number. CONCLUSION: CUEDC2 was expressed in most HCC tissues, which was relevant to tumor growth, tumor differentiation and prognosis. CUEDC2 could be a novel valuable molecular marker to predict the HCC prognosis.     

Selenium-enriched Spirulina platensis promotes proliferation of hepatocytes in rat partial hepatectomy

AIM: To explore the effects of selenium-enriched Spirulina platensis (Se-SP) on proliferation of hepatocytes in rat hepatectomy. METHODS: Rat hepaectomy model was conducted using male Wistar rats. The rats were randomized into five groups: operation groups with 150 (H), 50 (M) and 15 (L) mg·kg^-1·d^-1 of Se-SP, placebo-control (P) and sham operation group (F). Activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and thioredoxin reductases (TR) in hepatocytes were determined by chemical colorimetry. The expression index of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in hepatocytes was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the level of ［³H］-TDR incorporation in regenerative hepatocytes was analyzed by radio-immunity. RESULTS: Activity of GPx and TR, PCNA expression index as well as ［3H］-TDR insertion in hepatocytes (in vitro) were obviously higher (P<0.05) in L groups than those in P and F groups. All parameters were significant changed (P<0.05) after operation in H, M, L and P groups whereas some slightly change in F group. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that the levels of GPx and TR in hepatocytes all showed positive correlation with PCNA expression (r²=0.77 and 0.87, respectively) and with ［³H］-TDR incorporation level (r² = 0.73 and 0.84, respectively) in hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: Se-SP enhances hepatocyte proliferation in rat hepatectomy, up-regulation of selenoenzymes might be responsible for this effect.     

动物肝再生模型研究进展

对动物肝再生模型进行了综述,包括部分肝切除模型、门静脉分支结扎模型、化学药物损伤模型。     

Effect of sorafenib on liver regeneration after partial hepatoectomy in liver cirrhotic rats

AIM: To study the effect of sorafenib on the liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in cirrhotic rats. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats with liver cirrhosis induced successfully with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) underwent 30% PH and then were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=15). The rats in experimental group were fed with sorafenib at dose of 30 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 from the 1st day to the 10th day after PH, while those in control group were fed with vehicle by gavage. The blood and liver tissues of the rats were collected after PH and at the end of the experiment. Liver regeneration rate (LRR) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were assessed for determining the hepatocyte proliferation. The content of alanine transaminase (ALT), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), angiogenesis related factors including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFR-β) and micro-vessel density (MVD) were measured in both groups. RESULTS: LRRs on day 10 after PH were 45.43%±3.36% and 44.21%±2.77% in experimental group and control group, respectively (P>0.05), and the expression of PCNA in hepatic tissues of the rats was not found by the method of immunohistochemistry in both groups. Liver function index had no significant difference between the 2 groups (P>0.05). However, other than VEGF, sorafenib resulted in inhibition of VEGFR-2 and PDGFR-β expression and reduction of MVD in experiment group, and significant difference between the 2 groups was observed (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Sorafenib does not influence live regeneration after PH in liver cirrhotic rats.