Background/aims: Portal vein ligation (PVL) could multiply the future liver remnant volume (FLRV). Tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is connected with initial phase of liver regeneration. The aim of this basic pilot study was to accelerate regeneration of liver parenchyma after PVL. The experimental porcine model was developed to be as much compatible as possible with portal vein embolization (PVE) in human medicine.
Methodology: After ligation of portal branches of caudate and right lateral and right medial liver lobes recombinant porcine TNF-α (TNF-α group) or physiological solution (control group) were applied into non-occluded portal vein branches. The biochemical and immunoanalytical parameters were assessed. The compensatory hypertrophy was evaluated by periodic ultrasonography. The histological examination of liver was performed.
Results: The acceleration of growth of hypertrophic liver lobes was maximal at the 7th postoperative day in comparison with the control group (p<0.05); nevertheless this stimulating effect was lost at the end of experiment. The important differences in biochemical or histological studied parametres between study groups were not proved.
Conclusions: The achieved acceleration of growth of hypertrophic liver lobes after application of TNF-α confirms the role of studied cytokine in priming of liver regeneration.