Effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation on the serum and liver HMGB1 expression in rats with acute liver failure

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation on the expression of high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) in the serum and liver of rats with acute liver failure (ALF). Methods: Healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into control group, ALF group and BMSCs group. ALF was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 900 mg/kg D-GalN and 10 mu g/kg LPS. In BMSCs group, rats received BMSCs (1.0x10(7)) transplantation via the tail vein at 2 h after ALF induction. Results: Intraperitoneal injection of 900 mg/kg D-GalN and 10 mu g/kg LPS was able to induce ALF in rats. In ALF group, serum ALT and AST increased gradually over time. At 72 h, the serum ALT and AST in BMSCs group were significantly different from those in ALF group. HMGB1 expression in the serum and liver remained at a low level at any time point in control group, but increased significantly in ALF group and BMSCs group. The serum and liver HMGB1 expression increased progressively in ALF group, but reduced gradually in BMSCs group. Significant difference in serum and liver HMGB1 expression was observed between ALF group and BMSCs group at 24 h and 72 h. In addition, there was marked difference in the survival rate among three groups at 24 h (chi(2)=21.098, P<0.01). Conclusion: BMSCs transplantation is able to improve the liver function and liver pathology in ALF rats and decrease the serum and liver HMGB1.