Effects of pyruvate administration on regeneration of residual liver and protein synthesis in hepatectomized rats with liver fibrosis

We investigated the effect of pyruvate administration on energy metabolism and regeneration of the liver in hepatectomized rat with liver fibrosis. In first experiment, rats with normal liver were orally administrated pyruvate, glucose or saline and 70% hepatectomy was performed 3 days after. The residual liver weight 1 and 3 days after hepatectomy in the pyruvate group was significantly higher than that in the other groups. In second experiment, liver fibrosis was induced to rats by dimethylnitrosamine. They were orally administrated pyruvate or saline and 70% hepatectomy was performed 5 days after. On the 5th day after hepatectomy the residual liver weight in the pyruvate group was significantly higher than that in the saline group. The plasma total protein and albumin were also higher than those of the saline group. Our results suggest that the administration of pyruvate in hepatectomized rats with liver fibrosis improves energy metabolism of the liver and promotes regeneration of the liver.