Conditions Affecting Dietary Liver Necrosis and Liver Regeneration in Rats

Abstract

Rats were fed diets with 20 and 5% of crude or fat-extracted casein as protein source, with or without added methionine, cystine, vitamin E and Factor 3-active sodium selenite. The growth, mortality from hepatic necrosis and liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy were studied. The adequate dietary protein level given by the 20% of casein, as well as dietary addition of sulfur amino acids did not afford complete protection against liver necrosis. Vitamin E or selenite protected completely when added in sufficient amount to either rations. It may be concluded that the mortality observed in rats fed the 20% casein diet is due to lack of Factor 3-active selenium in the casein used. The mortality from liver necrosis was higher in male than in female rats. Seasonal variations in the incidence of necrosis were noted. The regeneration of the liver was slightly impaired in rats fed the 5% casein diets as compared with those fed the 20% casein ones; it was not affected by dietary addition of methionine, cystine or vitamin E.