Lipid metabolism in partially hepatectomized dogs and effect of hepatic periarterial neurectomy.

Lipid metabolism in partially hepatectomized dogs was studied, by observing changes in serum lipids after hepatectomy and biosynthesis of lipids in the slices of the regenerating liver tissue. In addition, the effect of hepatic periarterial neurectomy was evaluated. Serum lipids decreased after partial hepatectomy and did not return to the postoperative level until the first postoperative week, whereas biosynthesis of lipids in the slices of the regenerating liver tissue was considerably augmented in the early postoperative period. This augmentation of lipid synthesis appears to be requirement for regeneration of the liver. When hepatic periarterial neurectomy plus partial hepatectomy was carried out, each lipid and lipoprotein fraction, except for FFA, showed a tendency to recovery earlier from the immediate postoperative decrease and did not show a late postoperative excessive increase. The decrease of alpha-lipoprotein in the immediate postoperative period was augmented and the time of the peak of concentration of pre-beta-lipoprotein was hastened. Therefore, hepatic periarterial neurectomy seems to act in such a manner so as to maintain the homeostasis in lipid metabolism after partial hepatectomy and to activate the regenerative property of the residual liver in the early postoperative period.