Preparation and allotransplantation of isolated hepatocytes in partially hepatectomized rats

Three different dissociation techniques of rat liver were compared and yield, viability and morphology of the obtained cells were evaluated. The isolation methods used in this study were: 1. Enzymatic by immersion; 2. Mechanical; 3. Enzymatic by perfusion. The first method supplied 3.91 +/- 1.67 X 10(6) cells/g tissue (X +/- Standard Deviation) and a viability of 52.8 +/- 24.3%. The second method supplied 25.9 +/- 5.68 X 10(6) cells/g tissue and a viability of 62.3 +/- 18.6%. The third method supplied 50.5 +/- 26.6 X 10(6) cells/g tissue and a viability of 87 +/- 5.6%. The hepatocytes obtained according to the three methods were then transplanted into the spleen of allogeneic rats after partial hepatectomy. Allotransplantation of hepatocytes in partially hepatectomized rats proved to inhibit remaining liver regeneration in comparison to partially hepatectomized control rats using mechanically isolated hepatocytes (p less than 0.05), while the allotransplantation of hepatocytes obtained by the two enzymatic methods did not modify significantly liver regeneration.