Figure 5.

Enhancement of the rate of hepatocyte proliferation in the regenerating liver by the intraperitoneal administration of Etn. The rate of hepatocyte proliferation was monitored by immunohistochemically detecting BrdUrd incorporation into the nuclei of hepatocytes. The hydrochloride salt of Etn (24 mg/kg of body weight as free Etn) was intraperitoneally injected every 24 h into rats after two-thirds hepatectomy. Saline was intraperitoneally injected into the control group. The numbers of rats in each group are indicated at the top of the bars. ∗∗, P < 0.01 (t test).