ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of SadenosylLmethionine on liver regeneration and liver function in cirrhotic rats after hepatectomy. MethodsCirrhosis was successfully induced by injection of 40% CCl4.Then,partial hepatectomy (about 30%) was performed in all rats. Cirrhotic rats were divided into 3 groups,namely,cirrhotic group (normal saline 5 ml/d,for 15 postoperative days，n=20),treatment group 1 〔S adenosylLmethionine 10 mg/(kg·d),for 15 postoperative days,n=16〕 and treatment group 2 〔SadenosylL methionine 20 mg/(kg·d),15 postoperative days,n=16〕,and normal control group was also established. Animals were sacrificed at the 15th postoperative day and 30th postoperative day to take samples for detection of liver function (Alb,ALT,TB,TBA) and serum TNFα.Liver tissues were also observed under light microscope and electron microscope. ResultsIn two treatment groups,at the time point (15 postoperative days or 30 postoperative days),concentrations of ALT,TB,TBA,Alb and TNFα were decreased significantly as compared with cirrhotic group (P ＜0.01),and concentration of Alb was increased significantly (P＜0.01).In contrast, there were no obvious difference in the same time point of different dosetreatment groups (Pgt;0.05),but the decrease of ALT,TB,TBA,TNFα and the increase of Alb were more significant at the second time point (30th postoperative day) than the first time point (15th postoperative day) when treated with same dose (P＜0.01).At the same time,concentration between TNF α and ALT,TB,TBA showed a positive correlation (P＜0.01),and the concentration between TNFα and Alb showed a negative correlation (P＜0.01).In addition, the histopathology showed SadenosylLmethionine had effects of protecting liver function and enhancing liver regeneration. ConclusionThe study suggests that SadenosylL methionine has the efficacy of enhancing liver regeneration and improving liver function.