DNA synthesis and nucleolar organizer regions circadian rhythm in mouse regenerating liver hepatocytes

ABSTRACT

DNA synthesis and Nucleolar Organizer Regions (NORs) were studied in C3HS inbred mice standardized for periodicity analysis. Immunohistochemical detection of Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporated into DNA with a monoclonal antibody and silver staining of NORs (AgNORs) were assessed by means of a digital image analysis system in histological sections of regenerating liver. Tissue samples were obtained at different times after hepatectomy along a circadian span. The results showed a strong correlation of values between DNA synthesis (BrdU labelling index) and AgNOR numbers, with higher counts during the activity period of animals at 00:00/38 and 04:00/42 hours Time of Day/Hours Post-Hepatectomy (TD/HPH), being the differences with other time points highly significant. Our observations demonstrate the existence of a strong correlation of DNA synthesis measured by BrdU incorporation and AgNOR numbers with a defined circadian rhythm in mouse regenerating hepatocytes.