The Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor on Liver Regeneration in a Rat Model

INTRODUCTION: Stimulation of liver regeneration after hepatectomy may provide important advantages, especially in cases where liver tissue is at a critical level. Some studies have reported that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) might ameliorate liver regeneration in animals. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of exogenous VEGF164 on the regeneration of liver tissue after a 70% hepatectomy in rats.
METHODS: Twenty Wistar Albino male rats, weighing 300-350 g, were randomly divided into four groups, each having five animals. Group 1 and Group 3 were designated as control groups, and Group 2 and Group 4 as experimental groups. All rats underwent laparotomy and 70% partial hepatectomy. Postoperatively, control groups were administered saline through the tail vein at 0 and 6 hours, and VEGF164 was administered to the experimental groups in the same manner at 0 and 6 hours. Blood samples were collected by sacrificing the rats at 24 hours for Group 1 and Group 2, and at 72 hours for Group 3 and Group 4. Subsequently, relaparotomy was performed and the remaining liver tissues were completely removed in all groups. Then, the resected liver tissues were used to determine morphological regeneration rates. The histopathological proliferation of the liver was evaluated by calculating the Ki-67 proliferative index.
RESULTS: In the histopathological evaluation, it was revealed that the liver proliferation index was significantly higher in the VEGF164 group at 72 hours (p=0.028). Although liver weights were higher in the experimental groups, no statistically significant results were obtained in terms of morphological liver regeneration rates (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Although the positive effects of exogenous VEGF on liver regeneration were not found in this rat model, statistically significant increases in the liver proliferation index are promising.