Portacaval transposition and subsequent partial hepatectomy in the rat: effects on liver atrophy, hypertrophy and regenerative hyperplasia

Abstract

Portacaval transposition diverts portal blood from the liver. It allows systemic venous blood to perfuse the portal bed. Body weight and liver weight have been followed before and after portacaval transposition and control procedures in rats, and the DNA activity ratio studied in the liver of rats after partial hepatectomy in protacavally transposed animals. The results suggest that the liver atrophy seen after portal diversion is a result of diversion of trophic substances in the portal blood rather than of a decrease in absolute liver flow. Recovery of liver weight after partial hepatectomy in portacavally transposed animals occurs within the same time as in control animals, and the time course and magnitude of regenerative hyperplasia, as assessed by liver DNA activity ratio, is unimpaired.