Expressions of molecules associated with hepatocyte growth factor activation after hepatectomy in liver cirrhosis.

Background/Aims: The activation pathway of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), including HGF activator (HGF) and HGFA inhibitor-1, 2 (HAl-1, 2), has recently been clarified. The present study examined mRNA expressions of HGF, HGFA and HAl-1 following partial hepatectomy in normal and cirrhotic rats. Methodology: Liver cirrhosis was induced by intraperitoneal injections of dimethylnitrosamine. Two weeks after, the cirrhotic and normal rats underwent 70% hepatectomy and the liver regeneration rate, DNA synthese of heptatocytes, plasma HGF level. and mRNA expressions of HGF, HGFA, and HAT-1 in the liver, spleen, and lung were examined at different times. Results: Liver regeneration in the cirrhotic rats was deteriorated with a later peak of hepatocellular DNA synthesis. Hepatic HGF mRNA and splenic HAI-1 mRNA were upregulated and liver HGFA mRNA was downregulated in the cirrhotic rats. Conclusions: Insufficient HGF activation both hy a reduced expression of hepatic HGFA and an increased expression of spienic HAI-1 may he one of the reasons for the impaired liver regenerationin cirrhosis.