Background/aims: To investigate the feasibility and mechanism of liver damage repair using BMSCs, we investigated the potential for BMSCs in recovery from liver damage, using the CCl4-induced rat model for liver damage.
Methodology: Phenotypings of BMSCs of the third generation were analyzed by flow cytometry. BMSCs labelled by BrdU were infused via the tail vein of CCl4-induced rat model. The labeling yields ob-served were detected by flow cytometry and liver samples were taken for immunohistochemistry. Concentration changes of AST, ALT and AKP were observed by a serum enzymology test after transplantation.
Results: The BrdU' cells in recipient livers were detect-ed on day 7 after BMSCs transplantation and engraft-ed cells were found in the peri-portal regions of the hepatic lobule and on day 14 more of them spread throughout the lobules. BMSCs engraftments were detected on whole hepatic parenchyma. The serum lev-els of ALT, AST and AKP in group 3 were all lower than those of group 2 from the 7h to 28th day.
Conclusions: Ex vivo-expanded BMSCs were capable of relocating to the chemically-injured liver. Transplantation of these pluripotent stem cells appeared to improve serum indices of liver function.