Hepatocyte growth factor concentration in rat bile is affected by hepatic resection volume and external biliary drainage

Background/aims.. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) concentrations in bile have been shown to be useful in the early assessment of liver function after hepatectomy, The aim of the present study is to prove the hypothesis that the level of bile HGF is proportional to the regeneration capacity of the liver using a rat model. Methods. Blood and bile were sampled from rats who underwent 30 or 70% hepatectomy, with or without biliary drainage. HGF concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Liver regeneration was significantly suppressed after hepatectomy in the rats that underwent external biliary drainage. The bile HGF concentration was positively correlated with the resected liver volume within 24 h of hepatectomy, and HGF levels were markedly increased by external biliary drainage. The postoperative changes in plasma HGF were less dramatic. Conclusions. HGF appears to play an important role in liver regeneration, Bile HGF concentrations, unlike plasma HGF levels, are a good reflection of the hepatic biosynthesis of this growth factor. Increased concentrations of HGF in bile after external biliary drainage may reflect a compensatory response to the continuous loss of hepatocyte growth factor-rich fluid. (C) 1999 Academic Press.