Histological study on the effect of stem cells and hepatocytegrowth factor on induced liver fibrosis in male albino rats

BackgroundLiver fibrosis is a major Egyptian health problem. Hepatic stellate cells are thepivotal cells in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) participate in liver fibrosis treatment; chitosannanoparticles (CNPs) provide effective delivery of HGF to its niche.Aim of workThe aim of the study was to compare the effect of MSCs and HGF, either separatelyor mixed together, in improving liver fibrosis using a rat model of thioacetamide(TAA)-induced liver injury.Materials and methodsSixty male albino rats were used in this work. They were divided into the control groupand the TAA-induced fibrosis group, which was further subdivided into the untreatedfibrosis group, the MSC-treated group, the HGF-incorporated CNP (HGF–CNP)-treated group, the MSCs+HGF–CNP-treated group, and the CNP-treated group.The livers were removed from sacrificed rats and processed for staining with H Eand Masson’s trichrome and for immunohistochemical staining for α-smooth muscleactin (α-SMA) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).ResultsThe present study revealed that MSCs when mixed with HGF–CNP have apotent effect in improving TAA-induced liver fibrosis as regards restoration of thenormal hepatic architecture and decreased collagen fiber content; positive α-SMAimmunoreaction was decreased with few immunoreactive hepatic stellate cellsbetween hepatocytes. Many hepatocytes exhibited positive nuclear immunoreactivityfor proliferating cell nuclear antigen. There was moderate improvement in the effectof MSCs or HGF–CNP alone. In contrast, CNPs achieved slight improvement inTAA-induced liver fibrosis.ConclusionCoinjection of MSCs and HGF–CNP has a better therapeutic effect on liver fibrosisin rats compared with either one alone. This mode of therapy, if proved to be effectivein humans, may provide a perfect alternative to liver transplantation.