【Animal modeling】-Effect of genipin on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in ob/ob mice

  Objective: To investigate the changes of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in ob/ob mice with genetic deficiency of leptin gene and the effect of genipin on liver regeneration.

  Methods: Twenty ob/ob mice were randomly divided into genipin group (obG) and vehicle group (obP) according to different treatment methods, and then randomly divided into partial hepatectomy (PH) according to the time after hepatectomy. ) after 2 days and 10 days. C57BL/6J mice were used as the control group in the same period. Serum and liver samples were collected. The liver regeneration rate was calculated; the positive expression rate of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected by immunohistochemical staining ; Feulgen staining method was used to detect the DNA content of hepatocytes; Western Blot method was used to detect the expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription STAT3; serum biochemical detection of liver function indexes.

  Results: Compared with C57BL/6J mice, the hepatocytes of ob/ob mice were filled with lipid droplets of different sizes, hepatocyte ballooning and small focal necrosis; the liver regeneration rate (P<0.05) and the number of PCNA positive cells ( P<0.01) and hepatocyte DNA content (P<0.01) were significantly decreased. Compared with the vehicle group, the genipin group had less hepatocyte lesions and significantly increased binuclear hepatocytes; liver regeneration rate (P<0.05) and the number of PCNA positive cells (P<0.01) and hepatocyte DNA content (P<0.01) increased; serum ALT, AST, LDH levels decreased (P<0.05); p-STAT3 expression increased (P<0.05).

  Conclusion: Liver regeneration is delayed after partial hepatectomy in ob/ob mice with fatty liver; Genipin can promote liver regeneration and improve liver function in ob/ob mice.