Aim: To evaluate the effect of intrahepatic trans-plantation of hepatic oval cells (HOC) on fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) in rats.
Methods: HOC obtained from rats were labeled with green fluocescent protein (GFP) or 5, 6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinmidyl ester (CFDA-SE). Cell fluorescence was observed under fluorescent microscope at 6, 24, 48 and 72 h after labeling. CFDA-SE labeled HOC (5 x 10(6) cells each rat) were injected into livers of rats with FHF induced by D-galactosamine. Serum albumin (ALB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBil) levels were measured at different time points. Liver function of rats was examined on days 3, 7, 14 and 21 after HOC transplantation.
Results: The positive rate of GFP and CFDA-SE labeled HOC was 10% and 90%, respectively, with no significant change in cell viabilities. The survival rate was higher in HOC transplantation group than in control group, especially 48 (9/15 vs 6/15) and 72 h (9/15 vs 4/15) after HOC transplantation. The serum ALT, AST and TBil levels were decreased while the serum Alb level was increased after HOC transplantation. Fluorescence became faded and diffused in liver tissues, suggesting that proliferation and differentiation occur in transplanted HOC.
Conclusion: CFDA-SE is superior to GFP in labeling HOC, although fluorescence intensity is decreased progressively with cell division. HOC transplantation can improve the liver function and increase the survival rate of recipients.