Abstract
To evaluate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells on liver regeneration in rats following a 70% hepatectomy. Forty rats were subjected to 70% hepatectomy and then ~106 mesenchymal stem cells (test group), or saline solution (control group), were infused into their livers via the portal vein. Each treatment group was divided into early and late subgroups (euthanized 3 d and 5 d following the operation, respectively). Group comparisons of Albumin, aminotransaminases (AST, ALT), and Alcaline Phosphatase (AP) levels, proliferative index (ki-67+ straining), and mitotic cell counts were conducted. No significant differences in liver regeneration rate, number of mitoses, proliferative index, or serum levels of albumin, AST, or AP were observed. ALT levels were higher in the test group than in the control group (p<.05). Mesenchymal stem-cell therapy did not improve liver regeneration rate 3 d or 5 d after 70% hepatectomy in rats. Likewise, the therapy appeared not to affect liver function, proliferative index, or number of mitoses significantly.
Highlights
Advances in the development and refinement of surgical techniques, combined with improvements in multidisciplinary therapy for oncological diseases, have led to indications for increasingly complicated liver resections
Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is the main cause of death for these patients, and mortality rates greater than 20% have been reported for PHLF patients with a history of chronic liver disease or cirrhosis[1,2]
In experimental rat models involving a 70% hepatectomy followed by a stem cell transplant via the portal or peripheral veins, significant improvements in the rate of liver regeneration were observed, and this was accompanied by improvements in the Ki-67 index, in the mitotic index, and in real-time reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) compared to the control groups[10-12]
Summary
Advances in the development and refinement of surgical techniques, combined with improvements in multidisciplinary therapy for oncological diseases, have led to indications for increasingly complicated liver resections. An infusion of mesenchymal stem cell lysate, rather than whole cells, was found to improve liver regeneration This effect was accompanied by an improved biochemical profile and a reduction in cell apoptosis. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that paracrine factors can improve the function of lesioned tissue by reducing inflammation and increasing vasculogenesis[9]. In experimental rat models involving a 70% hepatectomy followed by a stem cell transplant via the portal or peripheral veins, significant improvements in the rate of liver regeneration were observed, and this was accompanied by improvements in the Ki-67 index, in the mitotic index, and in real-time reverse transcriptasepolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) compared to the control groups[10-12]
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