Effect of Various Sulfur Compounds on Rat Liver Regeneration

Abstract

Partially hepatoectomised rats were maintained on a control diet as well as diets supplimented with several organic sulfur compounds. Although thiouracil (0.10 and 0.40%; each on a wt. basis) increased the extent of liver regeneration over a period of 10.5-10.8 days, thiourea in amt. of 0.40% caused a decreased rate but showed no effect in concns. of 0.10 and 0.20%. The action of these agents on the liver is probably direct. Thioglycerol (0.20%), cysteine (0.75%), glutathione (0.75%) and the sodium salts of [alpha]-mercaptopropionic acid (0.25%),[beta]-mercaptopropionic acid (0.25%), [alpha]-mercapto-butyric acid (0.25 and 0.50%) and [beta] -mercaptoethanesulfonic acid (0.50%), did not alter the control rate significantly.