Functional hepatic recovery after xenotransplantation of cryopreserved fetal liver cells or soluble cell-factor administration in a cirrhotic rat model: are viable cells necessary?

Background And Aim: Chronic liver failure results in the decrease of the number of functioning hepatocytes. It dictates the necessity of using exogenous viable cells or/and agents that can stimulate hepatic regenerative processes. Fetal liver contains both hepatic and hematopoietic stem cells with high proliferative potential, which may replace damaged cells.

Cryopreserved fetal liver cell transplants support the chronic failing liver in rats with CCl4-induced cirrhosis.

Hepatocyte transplantation is a promising method for supporting hepatic function in a broad spectrum of liver diseases. The aim of this work was to test the efficacy of human fetal liver cells to support the chronic failing liver in an experimental model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis in rats. Liver cirrhosis was induced by intraperitoneal administration of CCl4 at a dose of 0.