The effect of Ghrelin on hepatic regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats.

Liver is the largest solid organ in the body having major roles in metabolic functions. For this reason following hepatic resections major complications can be seen. Control of the hepatic regenaration is an important step in modern surgery. Growth hormon has a positive effect on cellular and extracellular growth and volume of the liver. Ghrelin has effects on hormon release and energy metabolism and appetite regulation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of ghrelin on hepatic regenaration.Thirty Wistar Albino rats were used. Partial hepatectomy was performed to rats, and serum saline was given intraperitoneally to Group I (n=15) rats, ghrelin to group II (n=15) rats. Group II was divided to subgroups containing 5 rats in each group according to postoperative time, 24 hours, 48 hours and 7 days respectively. Under general anesthezia rats were decapitised and serum samples were taken to detect AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, ghrelin, growth hormon and PTT. After relaparotomi livers were examined for ghrelin levels and Ki-67 expressions.When Group II was compared with Group I the morphological and biochemical parameters, relative liver weight, AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, albumin, PTT, acile and deacile tissue ghrelin levels were significantly different in Group II (p<0,05). But the Ki-67 and growth hormon levels were not signifacantly high in Group II (P>0,05)We concluded that the indirect markers of hepatic regeneration with ghrelin were positively correlated but the direct signs of the regeneration were not significantly related. This effect was atributed to the antiproliferative effect of ghrelin. In this study we concluded that ghrelin was not effective on hepatic regenaration.Keywords: parsial hepatectomy, ghrelin, liver regenaration, growty hormone