The immunostimulant OK-432 enhances liver regeneration after 90% hepatectomy in rats

The effect of reticuloendothelial system activation on liver regeneration after 90% hepatectomy was investigated. OK-432, a killed streptococcal preparation that increases reticuloendothelial system activity, was administered to rats before 90% partial hepatectomy. Pretreated rats showed marked impr...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inHepatology (Baltimore, Md.) Vol. 19; no. 5; p. 1241
Main Authors Kato, K, Matsuda, M, Kusano, M, Onodera, K, Kato, J, Kasai, S, Mito, M, Hodgson, W J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.1994
Subjects
Adjuvants, Immunologic - pharmacology
Animals
DNA - biosynthesis
Hepatectomy - methods
Hepatectomy - mortality
Life Tables
Liver - metabolism
Liver Regeneration
Male
Mononuclear Phagocyte System - physiopathology
Picibanil - pharmacology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Survival Rate
Online AccessGet more information

Cover

More Information
Summary:The effect of reticuloendothelial system activation on liver regeneration after 90% hepatectomy was investigated. OK-432, a killed streptococcal preparation that increases reticuloendothelial system activity, was administered to rats before 90% partial hepatectomy. Pretreated rats showed marked improvement in long-term survival: 87% (18 of 23) survived beyond 42 hr, compared with only 44.2% (24 of 52) of controls (p < 0.05). Survival was determined by means of life-table analysis and regeneration response by means of bromodeoxyuridine labeling index of hepatic DNA. OK-432 pretreatment had significantly increased bromodeoxyuridine labeling index 18, 24, and 42 hr after partial hepatectomy (p < 0.05). The results indicate that reticuloendothelial system activation by OK-432 before 90% partial hepatectomy enhances liver regeneration and improves survival, but these factors may not be related. The improved survival may be because of less infection in macrophage-stimulated animals or more rapid clearance of hypotension-causing vasoactive compounds.
ISSN:0270-9139
DOI:10.1002/hep.1840190523