Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reverse Hepatic Fibrosis, Improved Vascularity, and Attenuate the Apoptosis in Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatic Fibrosis Experimental Rats

Abstract

Background: Liver fibrosis is a sequel of different chronic inflammatory diseases. The most effective treatment for end-stage liver fibrosis is liver transplantation; but the shortage of donor organs, immunological rejection, surgical complications, and high medical costs limit the transplantation. That’s why we are in argent need to develop new strategies in treatment. Objectives: to evaluate the role of MSCs in regenerating liver cells and reverse hepatic fibrosis. Materials and Methods: 30 Animals were randomly divided into three groups (10 animals each): group 1: a negative control; group 2: induced liver fibrosis (pathological control).; group 3: induced liver fibrosis that received undifferentiated BM MSCs (3×106 cells/ml intraperitoneally/single dose); The extent of fibrosis, vascularization, and inflammation and hepatic cell apoptosis were evaluated together with assessment of liver functions. Results: The MSCs treated group showed significant improvement of liver functions, and attenuation of fibrosis histopathologicaly and down regulate the expression of TGF ß versus the induced fibrosis group. inflammatory marker(TNF,IL-6) were down regulated and vascularity was restored in MSCs treated group compared to CCL4 induced fibrosis rats. Conclusion: MSCs provide promising therapeutic agents in treatment of liver fibrosis.