The role of PCNA in evaluating liver regeneration and the effect of omeprazole on liver regeneration

Objective To investigate the role of PCNA counting (proliferative cell nuclear antigen) in evaluating the liver regeneration and whether omeprazole has an effect to enhance liver regeneration. Methods CCl 4 induced cirrhotic rats were divided into two groups, undergoing 70% hepatectomy. Group one received omeprazole 0 2?mg/kg, sc, daily; Group two, as the control, received 0 9% NS, sc, 1?ml/kg, daily. One week later 8 rats of in each group were sacrificed,venous blood was drawn and liver sent for microscope examination, and PCNA determination, the RLW (relative liver weight) was determined.Procedure was repeated 2 weeks later on 6 rats in each group. Results In the omeprazole group, the serum gastrin concentration, RLW and MI were higher than those in control group, and PCNA was in positive correlation with MI (mitotic index). Conclusions PCNA could be used to evaluate the degree of liver regeneration. Omeprazole can enhance the cirrhotic liver regeneration after hepatectomy.