Abstract
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the haemostatic potential of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced liver cirrhosis in Wistar rats. METHODS: This was an experimental study. Liver cirrhosis was induced in adult female Wistar rats using CCl(4). Rats were randomly divided into 6 groups with ten rats in each group: group 1 (normal control group), group 2 (received only CCl(4)), group 3 (CCl(4) + low dose BM-MSCs), group 4 (CCl(4) + high dose BM-MSCs), group 5 (CCl(4) + silymarin), group 6 (CCl(4) + high dose BM-MSCs + silymarin). Thirty days after the treatment, blood samples were collected for liver enzyme level analysis, prothrombin time test and plasma fibrinogen estimations. The rats were then sacrificed, livers were excised and used for histopathological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study. RESULTS: BM-MSCs and the combination treatment of high dose BM-MSCs and silymarin effectively decreased the prothrombin time and increased plasma fibrinogen concentration in rats with CCl(4) induced liver cirrhosis. BM-MSCs treatment produces significant anti-fibrotic effect which was supported by the liver enzyme level analysis, histopathology and SEM study. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that treatment of BM-MSCs in combination with silymarin had a better haemostatic effect when compared to the administration of BM-MSCs alone.