Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2012, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (10): 1837-1840.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.10.028

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Transplantation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells improves hepatic fibrosis in rats with carbon etrachloride-induced hepatic cirrhosis

Liu Ying1, Shi Zhan-li2, Zhao Zong-ze2, Guo Sheng-nan1, Xu Jin-kai1, Li Dong-jie 2   

  1. 1Stem Cell Treatment Center, 2Department of General Surgery, Siping Central Hospital, Siping  136000, Jilin Province, China
  • Received:2011-09-22 Revised:2011-12-17 Online:2012-03-04 Published:2012-03-04
  • Contact: author: Li Dong-jie, Chief physician, Department of General Surgery, Siping Central Hospital, Siping 136000, Jilin Province, China spkjk2008@yahoo.com.cn
  • About author:Liu Ying☆, M.D., Associate chief physician, Stem Cell Treatment Center, Siping Central Hospital, Siping 136000, Jilin Province, China ly3641829@163.com
  • Supported by:

    a grant from Health Bureau of Jilin Province, No.2009-z-096*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The feasibility and efficacy of stem cell transplantation as a new method in treatment of hepatic cirrhosis have been rarely reported at home and abroad.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on hepatic fibrosis in rats with carbon etrachloride-induced hepatic cirrhosis.
METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. Rats in the control group were injected with normal saline via the tail vein. Rats in the hepatic cirrhosis group were established into rat models of hepatic cirrhosis by cutaneous injection of carbon etrachloride peanut oil for 8 weeks. The hepatic cirrhosis rats were then randomly sub-divided into three groups: 8-week hepatic cirrhosis, normal saline, hUCMSCs transplantation. Rats in the normal saline and hUCMSCs transplantation subgroups were administered normal saline and hUCMSCs suspension respectively via the tail vein. Rats in the 8-week hepatic cirrhosis received no intervention.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Serum alkaline phosphatase level was significantly lower in the control group than in the other three subgroups (P < 0.05). Serum albumin and cholesterol levels in the hUCMSCs group were similar to those of control group (P > 0.05), but they were significantly higher compared with 8-week hepatic cirrhosis and normal saline group (P < 0.05). In the 8-week hepatic cirrhosis group, a large amount of hyperplastic collagenous fiber was presented in the liver tissue and the frame of the pseudolobuli formed. The normal saline group and 8-week hepatic cirrhosis group exhibited similar histological changes. Scattered green antinuclear antibody-positive cells in the liver were only observed in the hUCMSCs group. The amount of hyperplastic collagenous fiber was significantly lower in the hUCMSCs transplantation group than in the normal saline group. These findings suggest that transplantation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells via the tail vein can obviously improve hepatic fibrosis in rats with carbon etrachloride-induced hepatic cirrhosis.

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