Propranolol impairs liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in C57Bl/6-mice by transient attenuation of hepatic lipid accumulation and increased apoptosis.

Objective: Acute hepatic fat accumulation appears to be crucial for liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Since fatty acids in the liver are provided by catecholamine-induced lipolysis in the adipose tissue, we investigated whether beta-adrenergic blockade of lipolysis might affect liver regeneration.

Material And Methods: Mice were treated with propranolol prior to partial hepatectomy.