Evaluation of Regeneration and Apoptosis in Experimental Hepatic Resection of Rats

Objective: Apoptosis and accompanying regeneration begins immediately after liver resection and transpalantation. It is known that DNA synthesis reaches its maximum level in the first 24-48 hours after resection. This study was carried out to examine the regeneration and apoptotic process in the liver of rats that underwent 70% liver resection on days 3 and 7. Materials and Methods: 21 adult male Wistar Albino rats were used. The laparotomy with an upper midline incision was performed on the subjects for liver resection. Three groups were formed as the control (Group I), the group that was sacrificed 3 days after resection (Group II), and the group that was sacrificed 7 days after resection (Group III). Results: Sinusoidal dilatation and vacuolization in hepatocytes were observed in the liver tissues of all experimental groups except the control group. However, these histopathological findings were observed more in group II than other groups. It was observed that the apoptotic index and proliferation index values reached the maximum level in the group II. In group III, it was observed that these index values gradually decreased. Values of these parameters were found to be quite low in control group. Conclusion: As a result, comparisons of the mechanisms accompanying the regeneration occurring after resection were determined by immunohistochemical and TUNEL methods, and findings that shed light on clinical applications were obtained day by day.