Intrasplenic Autotransplantation of Hepatocytes in Dogs

Objective- The liver has a unique location in the body for performing multiple functions such as, metabolism, detoxification and synthesis. There are limitation for liver transplantation due to shortage of available donors and requires for sophisticated technology and support surgical teams. The purpose of this study was to investigate the hepatocyte transplantation into the spleen of animal model such as dog to establish basic condition for further studies. Design- In vivo experimental Study. Animals- Five Iranian indigenous mixed breed dogs of both sexes, ۱۵/۸±۳ months old and ۱۹.۶±۸.۲weighting were used in this study. Procedures- Ventral midline celiotomy was performed under general aneasthesia and liver sampls were obtained using suction technique by a ۵۰cc syringe and ۱۴ gauge needle. Then obtained samples were injected into the same dog 's spleen directly and also via splenic artery, the celiotomy incision sutured and the animal left to recover. On the ۱۶th postoperative day, under general anaesthesia, the gross appearance of spleen were recorded and photographed and for histopathological evaluation, partial splenectomy was performed. The prepared sections were stained with Hematoxylin Eosin [H& E] and Periodic Acid Schiff[PAS] and studied under light microscope. Results- The gross evaluations of the removed spleen showed a whitish area at the injection site in all of the ۵ transplanted dogs, spleen vessels had been dilated and enlarged in diameter. Microscopically the groups of hepatocytes in the center of lymphoid follicles in the white pulp were noted. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- Hepatocyte transplantation could be useful for both supporting an acute liver failure and for surviving as a bridge to liver transplantation in terminal liver failure.