Use an alginate scaffold-bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) complex for the treatment of acute liver failure in rats.

To evaluate the effects of alginate scaffold-bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) in the treatment of acute liver failure in rats and provide a basis for in vivo application of artificial liver tissue. CM-DiI-labeled BMSCs were planted and grown on alginate scaffolds to form alginate scaffold-BMSC complex. Alginate scaffold-BMSC complex (the experimental group) or alginate scaffolds (the control group) were placed onto the surface of liver wound of rats after 70% of hepatectomy. The scaffold-BMSC complex and alginate scaffolds were removed after 4 weeks and fluorescence microscopy was used to track the growth and distribution of CM-DiI-labeled BMSCs. The liver tissues were stained for albumin and glycogen to investigate the differentiation of BMSCs on alginate scaffolds. The survival rate and liver function were also compared between the two groups of rats. BMSCs on alginate scaffolds and liver tissues were clearly demonstrated by CM-DiI labeling. BMSCs on alginate scaffolds secreted albumin and produced glycogen. The survival rate and liver function of the rats of the experimental group were significantly higher than that the control group rats. Alginate scaffold-BMSC complex promotes the regeneration of liver tissues in rats of acute liver failure.