Inhibition of transforming growth factor beta-1 augments liver regeneration after partial portal vein ligation in a porcine experimental model.

Background/aims: TGF-β1 is a pleiotropic cytokine that is over expressed in terminal phase of liver regeneration.

Methodology: Twenty-four hours after partial portal vein ligation monoclonal antibody against TGF-β1 (TGF-β1 group, 7 piglets) or physiological solution (control group, 9 piglets) were applied into the central venous catheter. The biochemical parameters (bilirubin, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, gamma- glutamyl transferase, cholinesterase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and albumin) were assessed. The compensatory hypertrophy of the non-occluded liver lobes was evaluated by periodic ultrasonography during the next fourteen days and by histological examination.

Results: The acceleration of growth of the hypertrophic liver lobes was maximal between 3rd and 7th postoperative days in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). No important differences in the biochemical or studied histological parameters were proved.

Conclusions: The present study describes a new usage of monoclonal antibody against TGF-β1 in large animal experimental model of partial portal vein ligation.