Fetal liver-cell transplantation for surgically-induced acute hepatic failure in rats

Pediatric liver transplantation has become increasingly successful, but donor scarcity is a major limitation. We studied fetal liver-cell transplantation as an alternative to provide functional hepatic replacement and evaluated the efficacy of the intraperitoneal (i.p.) transplantation of fetal liver cells in the treatment of acute hepatic failure in rats. Outbred Wistar rat fetuses (18–20 days' gestation) were used as donors. In Wistar male rats (250–300 g), acute hepatic failure was achieved by simultaneous portacaval shunt and 70% hepatectomy. This model produced lethal hepatic failure in a highly reproducible manner. Fetal liver cells were isolated by the mechanical method. Group A consisted of 2×10⁷ fetal liver cells suspended in 1 ml phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) while group B consisted of only 1 ml PBS. Both were injected i.p. just after surgery. Fetal liver-cell transplantation (group A) significantly improved survival. The degree of hypoglycemia was significantly less significant 1 day after surgery in group A and the levels of plasma insulin and glucagon 3 days after surgery were significantly lower in group A than in group B. The results indicate that i.p. transplantation of fetal liver cells can provide metabolic support in rats. Correspondence to: Y. Hata