Robert E. Stowell

The chemical composition of regenerating mouse liver.

Abstract The chemical composition of regenerating mouse liver was examined over a 28-day period subsequent to partial hepatectomy. The following chemical constituents were measured: lipides (including phospholipide, neutral fat, and total cholesterol); moisture; nitrogen (total and protein); phosphorus compounds (with special reference to DNA and PNA); and the enzymes, succinoxidase, liver esterase, and acid and alkaline phosphomonoesterases. For purposes of achieving maximum evaluation, the results were computed in most instances on the basis of total regenerated liver, nuclear counts, and nitrogen. All measured chemical constituents were restored to normal or nearly normal levels within the investigated time intervals. A persistent incomplete restoration of cell numbers was found to be a characteristic feature of the regenerated organ, resulting in the presence of a smaller number of cells containing correspondingly greater amounts of chemical constituents.