To investigate the effects of extensive liver congestion on the remnant liver function and liver regeneration in the early stage after hepatectomy in rats.

According to the random number table method, 50 healthy, male SD rats were randomly divided into the congestion and non-congestion groups with 25 rats in each group. In the congestion group, middle and left lobectomy of liver + caudate lobe venous ligation was performed. In the non-congestion group, middle and left lobectomy of liver was performed. The levels of ALT, AST, TB and plasma ammonia were detected at 24 h after operation. The expression levels of cleaved caspase-3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) proteins in liver tissues were detected by Western blot. Postoperative survival situation of two groups was observed, the detection indexes were compared using t test, and the survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test.

At 24 h after operation, the levels of ALT, AST, TB and plasma ammonia in the congestion group was respectively (638±34) U/L, (675±26) U/L, (1.94±0.07) μmol/L and (250±23) μmol/L, significantly higher than (362±28) U/L, (412±20) U/L, (1.47±0.11) μmol/L and (131±19) μmol/L in the non-congestion group (t=14.09, 17.88, 8.05, 8.82; P<0.05). Evident vacuolar degeneration of liver cells was observed in the congestion group. The expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein in the liver tissue of the congestion group was 1.52±0.15, significantly higher than 1.09±0.12 of the non-congestion group (t=5.06, P<0.05). The expression of PCNA protein in the liver tissue of the congestion group was 0.63±0.14, significantly lower than 1.13±0.15 of the non-congestion group (t=-5.55, P<0.05). The survival rate in the congestion group was 20%, significantly lower than 75% in the non-congestion group (χ²=18.21, P<0.05).

Extensive liver congestion can promote liver cell apoptosis, reduce liver regeneration and aggravate the damage of remnant liver function in early stage after hepatectomy in rats.