Effect of glucose and branched chain amino acid (BCAA) infusion on onset of liver regeneration and plasma amino acid pattern in partially hepatectomized rats

Immediately after 70% hepatectomy, rats were infused via the jugular vein with one of the following solutions: saline, 3% or 8% glucose solution, 3% BCAA solution, 8% Nutramin (17% BCAA) or 8% Nutramin enriched with BCAA (47% BCAA). Rats were killed 18, 21, 24 and 30 h after partial hepatectomy. The course of liver regeneration was assessed from incorporation of labeled thymidine into DNA and from hepatocyte mitotic activity. After partial hepatectomy a decrease of glycemia and increase of plasma phenylalanine concentrations were observed. Glucose infusion had a pronounced inhibiting effect on the onset of liver regeneration. The decreased incorporation of labeled thymidine into DNA and the decreased hepatocyte mitotic activity in glucose-infused rats were associated with higher plasma concentrations of tyrosine and phenylalanine. Parenteral administration of 3% BCAA solution and 8% Nutramin enriched with BCAA had a favourable effect on the onset of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy compared with glucose- and Nutramin-infused groups. In BCAA-infused rats elevated levels of BCAA and decreased concentrations of tyrosine and phenylalanine were noted.