Figure 2

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemical staining in liver at 24 and 72 hours after partial hepatectomy. Representative photographs of PCNA immunohistochemical staining in each group were shown (original magnification × 100). Hepatic regenerative activity, expressed as the PCNA labeling index (%), was significantly improved in the L-Arg and L-Gln groups versus the control, but remained unchanged in the L-Ala group at 24 hours after partial hepatectomy. The L-Arg and L-Gln groups were also significantly improved compared with the control and L-Ala groups at 72 hours after partial hepatectomy. There were no significant differences in the PCNA labeling index between the L-Arg and L-Gln groups. * P < 0.05 and ** P < 0.01, compared with controls (n = 6 each).