Hepatic regeneration following glucagon treatment.

Liver regeneration was studied as a function of time after suppression of the normal glucagon response. Rats were given a daily subcutaneous injection of 20 micrograms zincglucagon for 14 days, whereafter a 70% hepatectomy was performed. In the glucagon treated rats the rise in plasma glucagon concentration was diminished after hepatectomy. At intervals from 12 to 384 hours after hepatectomy, the gain in liver weight, the hepatic DNA content, and the antipyrine clearance were measured. All 3 variables were found to be significantly higher in animals with diminished glucagon response. The results indicate that prevention of the normal increase in glucagon concentration leads to signs of increased liver regeneration after 70% hepatectomy.