Intraperitoneal hepatocyte transplantation: morphological results.

The value of isolated intraperitoneal hepatocyte transplantation as a temporary support in acute hepatic failure is controversial since the functional capacities and survival rate of auxiliary transplanted liver cells are uncertain. It was the aim of this study to investigate the survival rate of intraperitoneally (i.p.) transplanted hepatocytes and microcarrier attached hepatocytes. In 25 rats (group A) an i.p. hepatocyte transplantation and in 30 rats (group B) an i.p. microcarrier attached hepatocyte transplantation was performed and the animals were killed at 3 h, 12 h, 24 h, 3 and 7 days (group A) and 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days (group B) after transplantation. Histological investigation showed that transplanted hepatocytes undergo complete cell necrosis within 3 days (groups A and B). Liver cell necrosis was followed by a peritoneal reaction resulting in granuloma formation in both groups. Since liver cell necrosis occurred soon after transplantation and could not be avoided by attachment of liver cells to microcarriers, it can be concluded that metabolic support from transplantation cannot be expected in acute hepatic failure.