Caspase-3-related apoptosis prevents pathological regeneration in a living liver donor rat model.

Abstract Purpose The main goal of this study was to determine the relationship of cleaved-caspase-3 (C3)-related apoptosis and hepatic proliferation, during the liver repopulation in a living liver donor rat model. Material/methods Thirty-three animals were randomized into eleven groups and evaluated on postoperative from 3 ​h until 384 ​h after 30%-partial hepatectomy (30%-PHx). Liver sections (5 ​μm) were processed by hematoxylin-eosin, and immunostaining for C3, accompanied by hepatic function test. C3 content and the hepatic lobule enlargement were analyzed by optical density, followed by cell counting. Results Transient variations of alanine transferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were found. Significant increase in the C3 levels, and cell nuclei number, were detected at 12 ​h and 48 ​h after 30%-PHx, evidencing a correlation of p ​= ​−0.3679. Conclusion In the 30%-PHx rat model, C3-related apoptosis prevents proliferative pathological conditions during the hepatic lobule re-modeling.