Different Effects of Plasma from Patients with Acute on Chronic Liver Failure on the Proliferation and Biotransformation Function of C3A Cells

Abstract

Abstract Objective To investigate the effects of plasma from patients with acute on chronic liver failure on the proliferation and biotransformation function of C3A cells in vitro, and provide experimental data for C3A cells to be efficiently used in the bioartificial liver system. Methods C3A cells were incubated in 100% normal human plasma (NHP) and 100% abnormal plasma (AP) from patients with acute on chronic liver failure. Growth morphology of the two groups were observed under inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope. The method of methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) was conducted for the proliferation activities of C3A cells. The cellular apoptosis rates were assessed by the flow cytometer. The biotransformation function of cells was evaluated through diazepam metabolic amount assay. The concentrations of epithelial growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) were detected in plasma of the two groups. Results A: The proliferation activities of C3A cells incubated in 100% AP for 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours were significantly higher than that in 100% NHP (P < 0.01). B: Observation under the inverted microscope indicated that the cells in 100% AP were growing faster than those in 100% NHP after cells attached to the plastic at 24 and 48 hours. The same phenomena was observed under the scanning electronic microscope. C: The C3A cells cultured in both groups of plasma showed the same apoptosis rate at 48 hours and there was no statistical difference. D: The diazepam metabolic value of C3A cells incubated in 100% AP for 24, 72 and 120 hours were lower than that in 100% NHP and were statistically different (P < 0.01). E: The concentrations of TGF-α, EGF and IL-1 in AP were significantly higher than that in NHP (P < 0.01). Conclusions Compared with normal human plasma, the plasma from patients with acute on chronic liver failure has more obvious effect to facilitate the proliferation of C3A cells, but also decreases partial biotransformation function of C3A cells.