Assessing the Effect of Oleic Acid on Markers of Hepatocyte Transplantation in Wistar Rat Model of Induced Liver Damage

Aims: Hepatocyte transplantation is an alternative to liver transplantation for acute liver failure (ALF). Hepatocyte therapy is limited by several factors including limited homing of transplanted cells and liver functional improvement. Since beneficial effects of monounsaturated fatty acids on liver function and metabolism have been reported previously, our aim was to study oleic acid effects on hepatocyte transplantation outcome.

Methodology: ALF was induced by acetaminophen (APAP) injection. Hepatocytes were isolated from male rats and transplanted intraperitoneally into female rats (ALF+HT group). Effect of oleic acid was assessed in rats fed an oleic acid rich diet (ALF+HT+OA group). Plasma levels of albumin (ALB), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined. Detection of Y-chromosome by PCR was used for homing assessment of transplanted hepatocytes. Finally, hematoxylin and eosin staining was used for histopathologic evaluation of liver.

Results: APAP injection resulted in an increase in levels of ALT, AST and ALP. ALT level was decreased to normal range only in ALF+HT+OA group. Oleic acid administration lowered the maximum amount of elevated AST levels compared to ALF+HT group. No significant difference was observed between ALF+HT group and ALF+HT+OA group in ALP recovery. Plasma level of ALB was decreased after APAP injection which was only fully retrieved in ALF+HT+OA group. SRY detection by PCR confirmed successful engraftment of transplanted hepatocytes. H&E staining revealed that OA administration lead to an increase in the number of normal hepatocytes and reduced inflammation in the liver.

Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that dietary oleic acid may improve hepatocyte transplantation success via improvement of liver function.