Liver regeneration is not altered in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) when compared to chronic hepatitis C infection with similar grade of inflammation.

Fatty infiltration is associated with an increased incidence of complications and mortality after liver resection and transplantation. The aim of this study was to document the regenerative response in patients with hepatic steatosis and mild inflammatory activity (NASH) and to identify potential levels of impaired regeneration. Ki-67 immunostaining was similar in patients with NASH (ages 44.6 +/- 15 years, labeling index, 0.4 +/- 0.3%) when compared to patients with chronic hepatitis C infection (ages 50.7 +/- 17 years, labeling index; 0.4 +/- 0.7%). The labeling index was not increased in patients with a higher level of inflammation, a higher level of fibrosis, and a higher level of fat in either study group. In conclusion, liver regeneration is not altered in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, suggesting that the delayed postoperative liver failure seen in these patients may be related to another mechanism.