Carbon monoxide enhances early liver regeneration in mice after hepatectomy
Kaori Kuramitsu, David Gallo, Myunghee Yoon, Beek Y. Chin, Eva Csizmadia, Douglas W. Hanto, Leo E. Otterbein – 23 March 2011 – Hepatocyte proliferation early after liver resection is critical in restoring liver mass and preserving function as the liver regenerates. Carbon monoxide (CO) generated by heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) strongly influences cellular proliferation and both HO‐1 and CO are accepted hepatoprotective molecules. Mice lacking functional HO‐1 were unable to mount an appropriate regenerative response following partial hepatectomy (PHTx) compared to wildtype controls.