Partial hepatectomy

Two-third of the adult mouse liver was surgically resected to observe the regeneration of hepatocytes thereafter. During this procedure, 2–3 months old mice were anesthetized via isoflurane inhalation and placed on a heating pad. Abdominal hair was shaved, followed by the surgical area being wiped with betadine and 70% alcohol and draped. A transverse bilateral skin incision was made, followed by entry into the peritoneal cavity. A stitch was placed just above the xiphoid process and taped to the nosepiece to allow proper visualization of the liver. The body cavity was intermittently moistened with sterile saline during the procedure. The ligament connected to the median lobe was gently cut away and the left lobe mobilized with a cotton tip. A suture knot was tied just around the base of the lobe and tightened, darkening it. This lobe was then excised, leaving a small stump preventing knot slippage. This procedure was repeated to transect the median lobe next, taking care not to ligate too close to the vena cava. The peritoneal cavity was checked with cotton tip to ensure no bleeding and closed using interrupted sutures. The skin was then closed with 7 mm would clips. Mice were kept solitary in a cage supplied with soft food, water and heating pad until fully recovered and ambulatory. All surgical animals were given i.p. injection of carprofen 10 mg/kg preemptively and every 24 h postoperatively for 48 h, and monitored daily. All animals recovered steadily and fully after the surgery without any overt signs of pain or inflammation.