Gastrin is not required for liver regeneration

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although several growth factors are known to be essential for liver regeneration, the role of gastrin remains controversial. METHODS: Liver regeneration was examined in wild-type (WT) and gastrin-deficient (gastrin KO) mice at days 2 and 10 after partial (40%) hepatectomy by measurement of liver weight. Hepatocyte proliferation and circulating gastrin concentrations were measured at the same time points by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay, respectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the rate of liver regeneration between gastrin KO and WT mice. Hepatocyte proliferation in both groups was increased at day 2 but had returned to baseline values by day 10. ..