Dynamics of Expression of Cytokine Genes and Macrophage Content in the Lungs and Kidneys after Subtotal Hepatectomy in Rats

The role of the lungs and kidneys in liver regeneration after subtotal hepatectomy was studied on a rat model. It was found that production of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the lungs and kidneys and expression of cytokine genes Il1b, Il6, Il10, and tnfa significantly increased. Analysis of the dynamics of lung macrophage population showed that accumulation of HGF and the increase in the expression of cytokine genes in the lungs were accompanied by simultaneous increase in the number of CD68⁺ cells, which attested to the leading role of macrophages in activation of HGF synthesis in the lungs. Macrophage content in the kidneys after subtotal hepatectomy did not increase.