Effects of Hematopoietic Stem Cells on Liver Cirrhosis of Albino Rats

Abstract
Background: Liver cirrhosis is a common serious disease in Egypt due to high incidence rate of infectious liver diseases; hepatitis. Application of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) may provide a hope for patients with liver cirrhosis as it is not only safe but also to avoid hazardous complications and immunosuppressive drug following liver transplantation.
Aim of Study: Evaluation of the effects of CD34+ hemat-opoietic stem cells in regeneration of hepatic tissue as a new therapy for cirrhotic liver.
Material and Methods: Forty five male albino rats were divided into four groups: Control group: Include 18 rats injected with olive oil subcutaneously, (carbon tetrachloride treated group): 9 rats received carbon tetrachloride subcuta-neously, (carbon tetrachloride/hematopiotic stem cells treated group): 9 rats injected with hematopiotic stem cells after induction of liver cirrhosis by carbon tetrachloride and (carbon tetrachloride/fibroblast treated group): 9 rats injected with fibroblast cells after carbon tetrachloride induced liver cirrho-sis. For histological and biochemical study of liver and blood samples were taken from all rats.
Results: Rats of carbon tetrachloride treated group & carbon tetrachloride/fibroblast treated group indicated significant changes in liver histological structures accompanied with significant decline of liver function tests. Injection of HSC showed marked improvement in both histological picture and biochemical profile.
Conclusion: This study indicates the effectiveness of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells in amelioration of CCl4 induced liver cirrhosis in rats. So, treatment with he-matopoietic stem cells therapy can be considered a new hope for cirrhotic patients, especially in Egypt.