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

Background/Aims: TGF-beta 1 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-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1 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 aminotrz.nsferase 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 TGE-beta 1 in large animal experimental model of partial portal vein ligation.