Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1999. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 15, 1999; 5(4): 305-307
Published online Aug 15, 1999. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v5.i4.305
Effects of heparin on hepatic regeneration and function after partial hepatectomy in rats
Li Y, Wang HY, Chi-Hin Cho
Li Y, Wang HY, Chi-Hin Cho, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 5 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Professor Chi-Hin Cho, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 5 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, China. chcho@hkusua.hku.hk
Telephone: (852)2819-9252 Fax: (852)2817-0859
Received: May 19, 1999
Revised: July 3, 1999
Accepted: July 19, 1999
Published online: August 15, 1999
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the effects of heparin on the regenerative rate and serum alanine aminotransferase level in partial-hepatectomized (two- thirds) rats.

METHOD: Three different doses of heparin (100, 500 or 1000 U/kg) were given after partial hepatectomy through the tail vein at a 12 h interval for 2 or 3 d. After drug treatment, rats were killed and the remnant livers were weighed for the assessment of regenerative rate. Blood samples were also collected to measure serum alanine aminotransferase levels.

RESULTS: Heparin given in the present dosages for 2 or 3 d neither stimulated the regeneration of the liver nor improved the hepatic function as indicated by an insignificant change both on remnant liver weight and serum alanine aminotransferase activity as compared with the control.

CONCLUSION: Heparin alone has no beneficial effects on the regeneration of livers and improvement of hepatic function in hepatectomized rats.

Keywords: heparin; hepatectomy; liver regeneration; alanine aminotransferase; rats