EFFECT OF DIET ON WEIGHT OF LIVER AND GLYCOGEN CONCENTRATION IN PARTIALLY HEPATECTOMIZED RATS

Abstract

Experimental approaches to the study of the physiology of the damaged liver have been made by (1) the use of hepatic poisons, (2) ligation of the radicles to a lobe of the liver, (3) a reduction of hepatic substance after diversion of the portal blood through an Eck fistula and (4) partial hepatectomy. The most practicable experimental approach to the problem would appear to be the last of these procedures, because of the fact that only by this method can damage to the liver in experimental animals and in controls be approximately comparable. In animals subjected to partial hepatectomy two indexes which may be used for studying the function of the damaged liver are regeneration of the liver and storage of glycogen. In addition, the general effect of damage to the liver may be observed by studying the curve for body weight The present investigation in the field of the