Objective: To detect the effects of eNOS and IL-10 on liver regeneration under physiological and pathological condition.
Method: The rat model of liver regeneration was made by partial (70%) hepatectomy. Some rats were injected with CCl(4) and performed splenectomy. Hepatocytes DNA replication was tested by flow cytometry method (FCM) and the gene expression of eNOS in liver cells were analysed using RT-PCR. The IL-10 gene expression in liver cells was shown by Dot Blot hybridization method. The synthesis and distribution of IL-10 protein in liver tissue were examined by immune histochemical and morphometric method.
Result: The expression of eNOS gene promoted liver regeneration while the expression of IL-10 gene inhibited it.
Conclusion: eNOS and IL-10 play an important immunomodulatory role in liver regeneration under physiological or pathological conditions. The effects of eNOS and IL-10 on liver regeneration differ and they show an opposite modulatory effects on liver regeneration. Such effects are affected by spleen and general immune system.