Effects of Liver Transplantation on Splenic Function in Rats with Hepatic Cirrhosis

Objective To investigate the effects of liver transplantation on splenic function in rats with hepatic cirrhosis.Methods Hepatic cirrhosis model was established in rats by subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride.Liver transplantation model was established with two-cuff technique.Spleen index,morphological changes of spleen were observed before and after liver transplantation in hepatic cirrhosis rats.Spleen T lymphocyte subgroups before and after liver transplantation were also assayed by immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry.(Results Before) liver transplantation,spleen index was increased from(2.42±0.11) mg/g to(3.62±0.14) mg/g,P0.01;pathological examination of spleen samples showed that the areas of white pulp were decreased from((23.47±2.30))% to(7.70±2.01)%,P0.01,and the areas of spleen trabecula were increased from(1.75±(0.61))% to(4.46±0.71)%,P0.01.Meanwhile,the ratio of CD4/CD8 of spleen T lymphocyte subgroups was decreased from 2.67±0.15 to 1.18±0.15,P0.01.After liver transplantation,spleen index was decreased from(3.62±0.14) mg/g to(2.62±0.11) mg/g,P0.01;pathological examination of spleen showed that the areas of white pulp were increased from(7.70±2.01)% to(15.07±1.97)%,P0.01,and those of spleen trabecula were decreased from(4.46±0.71)% to(3.11±0.51)%,P0.05.Meanwhile,the ratio of CD4/CD8 of spleen T lymphocyte subgroups was increased from 1.18±0.15 to 2.32±0.11,P0.01.Conclusion Impaired function of spleen resulting from liver function damage can be improved in rats with hepatic cirrhosis after liver transplantation.