A Porcine Model for the Study of Liver Regeneration

Abstract
A technique of 65% partial hepatectomy in the pig is described. Thymidine kinase activity and mitotic index were used as indices of liver regeneration. Thymidine kinase activity increased from a baseline value of 1526 +/- 256 to a maximum of 23992 +/- 4966 dpm/mg protein on the third day after partial hepatectomy. The mitotic index also increased from 0-13.3 +/- 1.66 on the third postoperative day. The indices of regeneration remained unchanged after sham operation.