Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2010, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (1): 103-107.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2010.01.022

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Astragalus membranaceus injection promotes hepatocytic differentiation of umbilical cord blood stem cell: Enhancement of cell transplantation for the treatment of liver failure

Zhang Yong-hong1, Zeng Yan2, Tang Xiao-peng1   

  1. 1Department of Infection, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Hepatology of Central South University, Changsha   410011, Hunan Province, China;
    2Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Provincial Institute for Labor Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, Changsha   410007, Hunan Province, China
  • Online:2010-01-04 Published:2010-01-04
  • Contact: Tang Xiao-peng, Doctor, Professor, Department of Infection, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Hepatology of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China tangxiaopeng2008@163.com
  • About author:Zhang Yong-hong★, Master, Associate professor, Department of Infection, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Institute of Hepatology of Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan Province, China zhangyh_xy@163.com
  • Supported by:

    the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.39870651*;
    the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, No.04JJ6048*  

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies of umbilical cord blood stem cells transplantation for liver function failure have demonstrated that Astragalus membranaceus preparation can stimulate hemopoietic stem/progenitor cell proliferation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Astragalus membranaceus injection on the differentiation of umbilical cord blood stem cell into hepatocyte in vitro and in vivo for the treatment of liver failure. METHODS: The third and fourth passage of human umbilical cord blood stem cells (HUCBSCs) were collected. In drug screening test, there were 4 groups: cells were separately cultured with 0, 40, 200, and 400 mg/L Astragalus membranaceus injection to screen the appropriate for cell growth. In cell differentiation test, there were 2 groups: HUCBSCs were respectively cultured with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF, 10 μg/L), and HGF (10 μg/L) plus 200 mg/L Astragalus membranaceus injection. D-aminogalactose was intraperitoneally injected to establish a model of acute liver failure. Surviving model rats (48 hours) were randomly divided into six groups: model control, Astragalus membranaceus injection, rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells, combination, combination+Cytoxan, and combination+dexamethasone groups. The alpha fetoprotein mRNA and albumin mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR, and liver function indexes were observed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Different mass concentration of Astragalus membranaceus injection displayed varied influence on HUCBSC proliferation: 200 mg/L was the best for HUCBSC proliferation. Compared with HUCBSC cultured with HGF alone, the number of albumen-positive cells in HUCBSCs cultured with 200 mg/L Astragalus membranaceus injection and HGF was greater (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expression of albumen mRNA in combination, combination+Cytoxan, and combination+dexamethasone groups was greater than rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells group, while alpha fetoprotein mRNA expression was only greater than rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells group in early stage. At 7 days of treatment, the values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino transferase and total bilirubin were significantly greater in combination, combination+Cytoxan, and combination+dexamethasone groups compared with model control, Astragalus membranaceus alone and rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells groups (P < 0.05), but no differences were observed among model control, Astragalus membranaceus alone and rat peripheral blood mononuclear cells groups (P > 0.05). Results indicate that Astragalus membranaceus injection at 200 mg/L can promote the proliferation and differentiation of HUCBSCs into hepatocyte in vitro and in vivo, ameliorate liver function and improve treatment effect of HUCBSC transplantation for liver failure.

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