Transplantation of bioencapsulated bone marrow stem cells improves hepatic regeneration and survival of 90% hepatectomized rats: a preliminary report

We transplanted bioencapsulated bone marrow stem cells intraperitoneally into 90% hepatectomized rats and found that this increases both the rates of hepatic regeneration and survival of the animals. Bone marrow cells isolated from Wistar rats were bioencapsulated using alginate-polylysine-alginate method. These bioencapsulated bone marrow cells were transplanted intraperitoneally into 90% hepatectomized syngeneic wistar rats. Control groups included 90% hepatectomized group receiving intraperitoneal injection of either empty microcapsules or free bone marrow cells. Unlike the control groups, transplantation of bioencapsulated bone marrow cells improved the survival of 90% hepatectomized rats, with an efficacy similar to that of bioencapsulated hepatocytes or free hepatocytes. These results suggest that syngeneic bioencapsulated bone marrow stem cells can increase the survival rates of 90% hepatectomized rats. We also discuss the potential for a new alternative to hepatocyte transplantation for cellular therapy of acute liver failure. In particular, bone marrow stem cells can be obtained from the same patient with no immunorejection, whereas in hepatocyte transplant, immunosuppressant will be needed to prevent immunorejection of the donor hepatocytes.