1. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the commercially
available forms of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor exert the same
beneficial effect on hepatic regeneration after 70% partial hepatectomy
in rats, Adult male Wistar rats received either the two commercially
available forms of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (Filgrastim or
Lenograstim), or saline, simultaneously with partial hepatectomy,
Hepatic regeneration was documented by determining [H-3]thymidine
incorporation into hepatic DNA, liver thymidine kinase activity, mitotic
index and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunostaining, at various
time points after partial hepatectomy.
2. DNA biosynthesis, liver thymidine kinase activity and mitotic index
of hepatocytes were not only enhanced (P < 0.001) in rats that received
150 mu g of Filgrastim or Lenograstim/kg of body weight, but occurred
earlier than in saline-treated partially hepatectomized rats, The
administration of both forms of granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor,
at the dose of 15 mu g/kg of body weight, did not affect liver
proliferative capacity, compared with observations in simply partially
hepatectomized rats. High mitotic and proliferating cell nuclear antigen
indices appeared earlier than those estimated in simply partially
hepatectomized rats, when 150 mu g of Filgrastim or Lenograstim/kg of
body weight were administered.
3. These findings suggest that both pharmacologically available forms of
granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor at a dose of 150 mu g/kg of body
weight are able to augment liver regenerative capacity, to the same
extent, in this animal model of controlled hepatic proliferation
