title: Repeated intraportal hepatocyte transplantation in analbuminemic rats.
abstract: The optimal site for implantation of isolated hepatocytes has not been established. We have developed a novel technique which allows repeated infusion of hepatocytes into the portal system via an indwelling catheter. Seven Nagase Analbuminemic rats (NAR) underwent single intraportal infusion of 2 x 10(7) isolated normal albumin-producing rat hepatocytes. Another seven NAR rats underwent placement of indwelling catheters into the portal venous system via the gastroduodenal vein. Each of them received six batches of 5 x 10(6) normal albumin producing hepatocytes. Seven control NAR rats were infused repeatedly (intraportally) with saline only. Plasma albumin (ELISA) showed significant increase in experimental animals and was more pronounced (p < 0.05) in rats transplanted repeatedly than in those given a single dose of cells. Immunohistochemical staining of the liver sections confirmed the presence of transplanted albumin producing hepatocytes. Rats transplanted with a single large batch of isolated hepatocytes showed liver tissue damage, whereas those subjected to repeated cell infusions had normal liver histology. We have developed a novel intraportal transplantation method which allows successful engraftment of a large number of isolated hepatocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rozga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Holzman
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Moscioni
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fujioka
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morsiani
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Demetriou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011169:Portal Vein; D051381:Rats; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin