Living-donor liver transplantation is a surgical technique in which a healthy portion of the liver is removed from a donor and implanted into the recipient to replace the diseased liver for diseases such as liver failure. This surgery not only saves the recipient's life, but also provides an opportunity for the donor to demonstrate the virtue of selfless dedication.
Whether livers removed through living-donor liver transplantation will regenerate is a matter of great concern. Traditionally, we believe that the liver has the ability to regenerate, so when part of the liver is removed, the remaining liver grows again, regaining its original size and function. In fact, the liver has a strong ability to regenerate, and the part that is removed will be cellular** and regenerated to achieve self-repair of the liver.
The ability of hepatocytes** and regeneration depends mainly on the proliferative capacity of hepatocytes and the viability of extrahepatic cells. After a portion of the liver is removed, hepatocytes and non-hepatocytes in the remaining liver proliferate rapidly to fill the void at the resection site. After a period of repair and regeneration, the liver can return to its normal size and function.
However, livers removed in a living-donor liver transplant do not have a chance to regenerate on the donor. This is because the donor liver is completely removed during surgery and there is no remaining liver tissue left for regenerative repair. Liver regeneration after donor transplantation occurs primarily in the recipient.
For the donor, after the liver is removed, the body compensates through a number of mechanisms. For example, after surgery, the release of substances such as cytokines and growth factors can stimulate the regeneration of remaining liver tissue. In addition, extrahepatic cells such as bone marrow can also migrate to the liver for regeneration.
While the removed liver will not regenerate in the donor, it will not have a significant impact on the donor's health. The liver is a highly active organ with a regenerative capacity that no other organ can achieve. After partial liver removal, the liver returns to its original size and function for the donor, with no significant impact on quality of life.
In summary, the liver removed by living donor liver transplantation does not regenerate in the donor, but is repaired by promoting the regeneration of the remaining liver tissue in the recipient. After the donor liver is removed, the body compensates and repairs through a series of mechanisms to maintain proper liver function. For the donor, although liver resection is a major surgery, its relatively good regenerative capacity allows it to recover as quickly as possible. December Creation Incentive Program