ABSTRACT
Objective:To establish a quantifiable and easily manipulable mouse model of liver regeneration by partial hepateetomy, so as to provide a basis for investigating the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms and pathophysiological significance of liver regeneration. Methods: Normal adult CS 7BL/ 6 mice were fixed by cardiac perfusion, the liver lobes were dissected and weighed, and the prupurtiuns uf each lube were calculated. Under anesthetic and sterile condition, partial hepatectomy was performed by removing the left lateral, left middle,and right middle liver lobes in turn to establish the regeneration model. The activation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene in the regenerating liver was dynamically monitored by real-time PCR analysis. Results: The left lateral, left ddle,and right middle liver lobes together accounted for approximately 70% of the total liver weight. The animals survived and lived well after removal of the three lobes in turn. RT PCR showed that AFF expression was activated in the regenerating livers. Conclusion: We have successfully established the mouse model of liver regeneration by consecutive partial hepatectomy. This method can quantify the heptectomy and is easy to perform,which lays a foundation for studying liver regeneration in mice.