Propitious role of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in an experimental bile duct ligation model: potential clinical implications in obstructive cholangiopathy

Abstract

To evaluate the role of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMC) in rat bile duct ligation (BDL) model. Wistar rats were categorized into four Groups A-D. Normal liver biopsy was taken from Group A. BDL model was created in Groups B and C (15 each). Normal saline and BMC were injected through portal vein (PV) in Groups B and C, respectively. In Group D (healthy rat), only BMC were infused through PV. Groups B and C were compared for body weight, liver functions, survival, and histopathological changes. Serum bilirubin was lower in Group C at day 6 (p=0.0010). Median survival time was 5 (4, 6) and 13 (9, 17) days in Groups B and C (p=0.0147), respectively. Portal edema (p=0.013) and portal inflammation (p=0.025) were less in Group C vs Group B. On post hoc subgroup analysis of rats surviving 8-26days, portal inflammation (p=0.004), bile duct proliferation (p=0.016) and portal fibrosis (p=0.038) were less in Group C vs Group B. Hepatocyte regeneration was found in four rats in Group C. CD34-positive cells were prominent in sinusoids and portal tracts in the BDL rat model. BMC have shown to delay fibrosis, facilitate hepatocyte regeneration and improve survival in an experimental BDL model, with potential clinical implication in obstructive cholangiopathy.