Evaluation of liver regeneration by modulation with ischemic preconditioning after ischemia and reperfusion and partial hepatectomy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate liver regeneration modulated by ischemic preconditioning after ischemia, reperfusion and partial hepatectomy. METHODS We used 24 Wistar rats of 12 weeks of age, which were randomly assigned into four groups: control (SHAM), hepatectomy (HEP), ischemia and reperfusion (IRG) and Ischemic Preconditioning (SRG). Analyses were made on liver enzymes ALT and AST, assessment of regeneration through the initial and final weight of the liver and the proliferation of hepatocytes by immunohistochemical analysis with Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA). RESULTS In all groups there was liver regeneration, with no statistically significant difference between them. There were significant differences in ALT and AST between groups HEP and SHAM, PRE and GIR, GIR and SHAM and PRE and SHAM (p <0.05). There were also significant differences in the PCNA labeling of the SHAM group as compared to other groups (p <0.05). CONCLUSION The ischemic preconditioning decreased liver injury, but did not influence the regeneration up to 48 hours.