Role of interleukin 6 in liver cell regeneration after hemi-hepatectomy, correlation with liver enzymes and flow cytometric study

AIM OF THE STUDY: Liver regeneration after hemi-hepatectomy may be affected by several growth factors and cytokines. The aim is to evaluate the importance of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in the induction of liver cell regeneration and find correlations with other parameters such as liver enzymes, and DNA analysis by flow cytometric studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 80 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were obtained and divided into two equal groups (n = 40 rats) to undergo 70% partial hepatectomy: group 1 – untreated (control) group; 40 rats not treated; and group 2 – treated group, 40 rats treated with IL-6 35 μg/100 gm body weight according to a lethality study for a period of 4 days, then hepatic resection was carried out according to the steps of Higgins and Anderson. Assessment of liver enzymes and bilirubin level was done. Flow cytometric study was done using a flow cytometer (FACSCalibur; Becton Dickinson) and DNA content was estimated with CellQuest software (Becton Dickinson). RESULTS: The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly higher in the untreated group of rats with liver resection. A higher value of bilirubin was observed in the treated group. Rat weight at sacrification was significantly lower in the group of rats treated with IL-6 than those without treatment, p < 0.001. Liver weight at sacrification was significantly higher in the group of rats treated with IL-6 (p < 0.001). The percentage of apoptotic cells with hypodiploid DNA content was determined from DNA histograms. Untreated rat resected liver showed a peak pattern that represented liver damage with high damage of 73.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Interleukin 6 is of value in induction of liver cell regeneration after seventy percent hemi-hepatectomy as evident by increased liver cell mass, liver enzymes and flow cytometric analysis.