Effect of mesenchymal stem cell therapy on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats with liver damage with irinotecan

In this study, aimed to examine the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (rBM-MSCs) on regeneration after partial hepatectomy in the liver with steatohepatitis induced by irinotecan. Irinotecan is a frequently used chemotherapeutic in the treatment of liver metastatic colorectal cancer. When it causes steatohepatitis, it may increase the risk of liver failure. For this reason, treatments that will support regeneration are being investigated. In our study, rats were divided into four groups. Laparotomy was performed in Group I. A %70 partial hepatectomy (PH) was performed in Group II. PH was performed in group III 7 days after a single intraperitoneal dose of 100 mg/kg irinotecan. In Group IV, PH was performed after irinotecan and simultaneous rBM-MSC was applied through the portal vein. Animals were sacrificed 72 hours after hepatectomy. A section was prepared from the remaining liver for histopathology and HGF, EGF, IL-6 ELISA determination. AST, ALT and albumin were measured from vena cava blood samples. Body and liver weight measurements of the rats were made. Looking at statistically significant results, irinotecan; It caused diarrhea, weight loss, decrease in remnant liver weight, decrease in HGF-EGF level, increase in AST-ALT, decrease in albumin, significant portal inflammation, vascular congestion and karyolysis. These findings confirm the GI mucositis and hepatotoxic effects of irinotecan. The changes observed due to rBM-MSC treatment are; It is an increase in HGF, EGF and albumin levels, karyolysis, vascular congestion, portal inflammation, a decrease in necrotic cell rates and an increase in the rates of binuclear cells, mitosis. These results suggest that rBM-MSCs can be used as a good material source in regenerative therapy in liver tissue damaged by irinotecan. The effects of stem cells can be explained by the stimulation of growth factors. In order for MSC treatments to be used safely, further studies are required. Key Words: Irinotecan, Steatohepatitis, Regeneration, Mesenchymal stem cell.