Effects of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Liver Regeneration and Repair after 80% Hepatectomy in Rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on liver regeneration and repair after 80% hepatectomy.Methods: BMSCs were isolated and purified by density gradient centrifugation combined adherent method.The model of 80% hepatectomy was established with rats aged 6-8 weeks and weighted 200~220 g.Experimental group contained 16 rats with BMSC injection via the portal veins,and control group included 20 rats with saline injection by the same way.The liver functions were tested by biochemical methods.The flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the hepatocyte cell cycle and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).Results: BMSCs were isolated,cultured and proliferated successfully in vitro.The survival rate was 93.7% after operation in the experimental group and 75% in control group.The liver tissues displayed that hepatic sinusoid mild expansion,less inflammatory cell infiltration and rare necrotic lesions after 1 d,3 d and 7 d operation,in the experimental group than those of the control group,especially 3 d after operation.The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were decreased more significantly in experimental group than those in control group (P 0.05).The S phase of hepatocyte cell cycle was significantly higher in experimental group than those in control group (P 0.05).The remnant liver immunohistochemistry showed that PCNA expression was significantly higher in the experimental group than that in the control group (P 0.05).Conclusion: BMSCs can improve rat liver regeneration and repair significantly after 80% hepatectomy.