Effects Of Hepatic Vagotomy On Atf3 And Nr2f1 Expression After Partial Hepatectomy In Rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of hepatic vagotomy on Atf3 and Nr2f1 expression after partial hepatectomy in rats, and then to explore the effect and mechanism of vagus nerve in liver regeneration.Methods: Male SD rats(n=108) were divided into 2 groups: two-thirds hepatectomy(PH), and two-thirds hepatectomy after hepatic vagotomy(PHV). In each group rats were killed at 0h,2h,12 h,24h,36 h,48h,72 h,120h and 168 h after the operation respectively, then cut the rat liver tissue,the liver tissue were divided into two parts, preserve in formalin neutral the reagent and liquid nitrogen. Use the Immunohistochemical method to detect the expression of the Atf3 and Nr2f1 protein; Use the real-time quantitative(RT-PCR) method to detect the expression of Atf3 m RNA and Nr2f1 m RNA in rat regeneration liver cells; Use western blot method to detect the Atf3 protein and Nr2f1 protein in rat regeneration liver cells.Results:(1) The results to use the Immunohistochemical method to detec the expression of the Atf3 in the rat regenerating liver: Compared with PH group, the amount of Atf3 expression in PHV group rats is significantly higher than the PH group at a 24h~36h after operation(P<0.01),and then the lower than the PH group at 12 h and 48 h.(2) The results to use the Immunohistochemical method to detec the expression of the Nr2f1 in the rat regenerating liver: Compared with PH group, the amount of Nr2f1 expression in PHV group rats is lower than the PHgroup at12 h,36h,48 h,72h,168 h after operation, the amount of Nr2f1 expression in PHV group rats is increaser at the 2h,24 h and 120 h than the PH group, the positive expression of PHV group have reached peak at 36 h after operation, the PHV group have difference at 12 h,48h,168 h after operation(P<0.05) to the PH group.(3)The results to use the real-time quantitative(RT-PCR) method to detect the expression of Atf3 m RNA in rat regeneration liver cells: Compared with PH group, the PHV groups’ Atf3 m RNA expression levels higher than the PH group at 24h~36h in liver cells after operation, the PHV group have significant difference at 24 h,36h and120 h after operation(P<0.05).(4) The results to use the real-time quantitative(RT-PCR) method to detect the expression of Nr2f1 m RNA in rat regeneration liver cells: Compared with PH group, the PHV groups’ Nr2f1 m RNA expression lower than the PH group at 0h~168h, have a difference at12 h and 48 h after the operation(P<0.05)in the PHV a group.(5) The results to use western blot method to detect the Atf3 protein and Nr2f1 protein in rat regeneration liver cells: To compared with the PH group, the amount of the Atf3 expression in the PHV group is higher than the PH group at 48 h after operation, and is lower at 48h~120h than the PH group, the PHV group have a difference to the PH group(P<0.05).(6) The results to use western blot method to detect the Atf3 protein and Nr2f1 protein in rat regeneration liver cells: To compared with the PH group, the amount of the Nr2f1 expression in the PHV group is a similar with the PH group, but as a whole it is lower than the PH group, and the PHV group have a significant a difference to the PH group(P<0.01).Conclusion:(1) Hepatic vagotomy has a role in promoting liver regeneration.(2) The regulate mechanism of hepatic vagotomy to rat liver regeneration may by promoting the expression of Atf3 and inhibiting the expression of Nr2f1 in liver cells.