Propitious role of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells in an experimental bile duct ligation model: potential clinical implications in obstructive cholangiopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the role of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMC) in rat bile duct ligation (BDL) model. Methods: Wistar rats were categorized into four Groups A–D. Normal liver biopsy was taken from Group A. BDL model was created in Groups B and C (15 each). Normal saline and BMC were injected through portal vein (PV) in Groups B and C, respectively. In Group D (healthy rat), only BMC were infused through PV. Groups B and C were compared for body weight, liver functions, survival, and histopathological changes. Results: Serum bilirubin was lower in Group C at day 6 (p = 0.0010). Median survival time was 5 (4, 6) and 13 (9, 17) days in Groups B and C (p = 0.0147), respectively. Portal edema (p = 0.013) and portal inflammation (p = 0.025) were less in Group C vs Group B. On post hoc subgroup analysis of rats surviving 8–26 days, portal inflammation (p = 0.004), bile duct proliferation (p = 0.016) and portal fibrosis (p = 0.038) were less in Group C vs Group B. Hepatocyte regeneration was found in four rats in Group C. CD34-positive cells were prominent in sinusoids and portal tracts in the BDL rat model. Conclusions: BMC have shown to delay fibrosis, facilitate hepatocyte regeneration and improve survival in an experimental BDL model, with potential clinical implication in obstructive cholangiopathy.