Open AccessEthanolamine modulates the rate of rat hepatocyte proliferation in vitro and in vivo
Author(s) -
Hajime Sasaki,
Hisae Kume,
Atushi Nemoto,
Sonoko Narisawa,
Nobuhide Takahashi
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.94.14.7320
Subject(s) - ethanolamine , in vivo , hepatocyte , biology , in vitro , growth factor , stimulation , epidermal growth factor , endocrinology , biochemistry , medicine , receptor , microbiology and biotechnology
A low molecular weight, heat-resistant hepatotrophic factor in an extract from the bovine intestinal mucosa was purified and identified as ethanolamine by structural analyses. The mode of action of ethanolaminein vitro andin vivo coincided with that of the crude extract of the tissue, indicating that ethanolamine is the active component. Ethanolamine synergistically elevated the stimulation of DNA synthesis in hepatocytes in primary culture when added together with a growth factor, such as epidermal growth factor, with the ED50 being 20 μM, although it showed little stimulatory effect by itself. Contrary to thesein vitro results, the intraperitoneal administration of ethanolamine hydrochloride (24 mg of ethanolamine per kg of body weight) enhanced hepatocyte proliferation in regenerating rat livers after two-thirds hepatectomy without the administration of any growth factors. In the regenerating liver, hepatocyte proliferation may be initiated by an endogenous growth factor, but the supply of ethanolamine in circulation may not be sufficient for optimal hepatocyte proliferation; thus, the exogenous administration of ethanolamine may further enhance hepatocyte proliferation. Ethanolamine in circulation may be a humoral hepatotrophic factor.