Vascular Regrowth Following Partial Hepatectomy in Rat

Presenter Information

Courtney Frank, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Kayla Anderson, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

9-4-2012 10:00 AM

End Date

9-4-2012 11:30 AM

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Michael Bentley

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

The purpose of this study is to examine the growth and regeneration of the vasculature of the liver following a partial hepatectomy. The regeneration of the hepatocytes of the liver has been studied extensively, but little attention has been directed towards the regeneration of the supportive vasculature. The vasculature of the liver is highly complex. The liver receives blood from hepatic arteries as well as the hepatic portal vein; therefore, the blood supply in the capillaries (hepatic sinusoids) is a mixture of arterial and portal blood. It is currently unknown how this complex circulation is reestablished in relationship to the regeneration of hepatocytes. In order to perform this study, a group of rats were assigned to one of two groups. The first group was composed of rats that were given the experimental surgery and the other group was given the sham surgery. The vasculature was prepared for viewing two days after the hepatectomy. The vasculature was then viewed under the scanning electron microscope. After viewing the vasculature, it appears that there is fenestration of the sinusoids in the experimental rat, but no fenestration occurs in the control group. However, further investigation is underway. In conclusion, it seems the vasculature in the livers of the experimental group are compensating for the portion of the liver that was removed.