Mitochondrial function after associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy in an experimental model

Background Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a two‐stage strategy to induce rapid regeneration of the remnant liver. The technique has been associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. This study aimed to evaluate mitochondrial function, biogenesis and morphology during ALPPS‐induced liver regeneration. Methods Male Wistar rats (n = 100) underwent portal vein ligation (PVL) or ALPPS. The animals were killed at 0 h (without operation), and 24, 48, 72 or 168 h after intervention. Regeneration rate and proliferation index were assessed. Mitochondrial oxygen consumption and adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) production were measured. Mitochondrial biogenesis was evaluated by protein level measurements of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ co‐activator (PGC) 1‐α, nuclear respiratory factor (NRF) 1 and 2, and mitochondrial transcription factor α. Mitochondrial morphology was evaluated by electron microscopy. Results Regeneration rate and Ki‐67 index were significantly raised in the ALPPS group compared with the PVL group (regeneration rate at 168 h: mean(s.d.) 291·2(21·4) versus 245·1(13·8) per cent, P