Andrea Lund, Katrine Holm Andersen, Kasper Jarlhelt Andersen, Jakob Kirkeg��rd, Jens Randel Nyengaard, Frank Viborg Mortensen
Introduction: The rat model of 70 % partial hepatectomy (PH) is commonly used to investigate liver regeneration processes. The aim of this study was to explore the dynamics of hepatic lipid accumulation and its correlation with the proliferation response during the entire regeneration phase after 70 % PH in rats.
Methods: Sixty-four rats underwent 70 % PH and were randomly divided into eight groups for evaluation on post-operative day (POD) 1 to 8. Hepatocyte volume, relative lipid content, and lipid volume per hepatocyte were assessed by stereological analysis. Lipid volume per hepatocyte reached its peak on POD 1 and POD 2, with mean values of 2895 ��m (95 % CI: 1756-4034 ��m) and 3090 ��m (95 % CI: 2277-3903 ��m), respectively. A marked decline was observed by POD 4, with a mean of 1323 ��m (95 % CI: 985-1741 ��m), which continued through POD 5, reaching 619 ��m (95 % CI: 136-1102 ��m). From POD 5 onwards, lipid volume remained consistently low, with no significant differences detected between POD 5 and POD 8.
Conclusion: Lipid accumulation and proliferation peak and decline concurrently, suggesting a strong correlation.
