[Intraperitoneal hepatocyte transplantation: morphologic findings and clinical relevance]

In order to evaluate if intraperitoneal hepatocyte transplantation could include a therapeutic approach in acute hepatic failure, isolated hepatocytes as well as microcarrier attached hepatocytes were transplanted intraperitoneally and the survival rates of transplanted cells were evaluated morphologically. The histological investigations showed, that the transplanted hepatocytes undergo complete cell necrosis within 3 days due to a lack of substrate, which also cannot be avoided by an attachment to microcarriers. Liver cell necrosis is followed by a peritoneal reaction resulting in granuloma formation. Because liver cell necrosis occurred early after i.p. hepatocyte transplantation a functional support in acute hepatic failure cannot be expected.