BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress and the hepatic function on rat liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH). METHODS: Thirty-six young male Wistar rats were randomly assigned in two groups of 18 animals each: control group 1 (G1) the animals were only laparotomized, and group 2 (G2) rats were submitted to PH. In each group, at 36 hours (T1), 168 hours (T2) and 336 hours (T3) post-PH, a subgroup of 6 rats was chosen in a randomized way to be submitted to a total hepatectomy (TH) in G1, and to complete the hepatectomy (CH) in G2 rats. We measured blood samples and the residual liver lobes for reduced glutathione (GSH) (blood plasma and liver), blood concentrations of glucose (Glu), and total bilirubin (TB). All surgical procedures were performed under inhalator ether anesthesia. RESULTS: There was no significant difference on the liver regeneration between the 2 groups. Liver and blood GSH concentrations from G2 were significantly higher than G1. Significant hyperglycemia occurred at T2 and T3 in G2. TB measurements did not show any significant difference on both groups. CONCLUSION: There is an increased oxidative stress in rats on liver regeneration post-PH, but the residual liver lobes did not compromise with the organic homeostasis.
Hepatectomy; Oxidative stress; Rats; Liver regeneration; Lipid peroxidation; Glutathione
