Hepatotrophic factors: implications for diabetes mellitus.

In view of the importance of insulin in hepatic cell proliferation and regeneration, disturbances might be expected in these processes in diabetics. The relative importnace of insulin replacement given intraportally rather than subcutaneously is discussed. Results are presented showing that even when normoglycaemia is achieved with peripheral insulin infusion using the 'artificial pancreas' there are still abnormalities in intermediary metabolism. The incidence of cirrhosis in diabetes is reviewed and it is concluded that the evidence is poor for an increase in diabetics. Finally it is shown that in the normal diabetic rat changes are observed after partial hepatectomy consistent with an increase in redox potential within the regenerating liver. Insulin treatment improves redox status but does not completely reverse the changes shown.