The effect of ursodeoxycholic acid on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Aim: To investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: UDCA was administered to seven rats (group 1) and physiological saline was administered both to seven rats (group 2) with NAFLD and to seven rats with normal livers (group 3). All rats underwent two-thirds hepatectomy and the remnant liver tissues were removed 48 h later. Mitotic index (MI) and levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed. Results: MI and PCNA levels in group 2 were significantly lower than in groups 1 and 3, but the values in groups 1 and 3 were similar. The GSH levels of group 2 were significantly lower than those of group 3 in the hepatectomy tissues, and lower than those of groups 1 and 3 in the remnant tissues. The differences between GSH levels in groups 1 and 3 were not significant. MDA levels in hepatectomy and remnant tissues were significantly higher in group 2 compared to groups 1 and 3; values in groups 1 and 3 were similar. Conclusion: UDCA increases regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats with NAFLD, possibly due to an attenuating effect on oxidative stress.