Long- and medium-chain triacylglycerols in nutritional support of liver regeneration of partially hepatectomized rats

An appropriate choice for a suitable diet during liver regeneration still remains an enigma. To investigate the effect of isocaloric enteral feeding with medium-chain triacylglycerols (MCT) and long-chain triacylglycerols (LCT) supplement (MCT+LCT, 40 %: 60 % w:w) (178 kJ/kg b.w./24 h), rat liver regeneration was studied 24 and 72 h after partial hepatectomy. The liver DNA synthesis 24 h after partial hepatectomy was significantly higher in the MCT+LCT-supplemented rats (30.2+/-8 x 2.10(3) dpm/mg liver DNA) compared to MCT-treated animals (18.1+/-5.7 x 10(3) dpm/mg liver DNA). Liver protein synthesis was non-significantly elevated both 24 and 72 h after surgery in MCT+LCT-supplemented rats (13.7+/-1.1 and 10.9+/-3.1 x 10(3) dpm/mg liver protein). Seventy-two hours after partial hepatectomy, the hepatocyte mitotic activity was significantly increased in MCT+LCT-supplemented group vs. LCT- or MCT-fed rats (3.3+/-0.7 vs. 1.9+/-0.7 or 1.0+/-0.6 mitoses per 1000 hepatocytes), thus exhibiting an increased proliferative potential. The results showed a qualitative difference according to the proportion of MCT to LCT in the enteral supplements. Overfeeding with MCT decreased body weight, increased liver weight by its fatty infiltration, increased rat mortality rate and reduced spontaneous caloric intake. We conclude that the balanced supplement of MCT+LCT (40 % : 60 % w:w) preserves liver regeneration, whereas overfeeding with MCT seems to be deleterious.