Amelioration of radiation-induced liver damage in partially hepatectomizedrats by hepatocyte transplantation

Hepatic tumors often recur in the liver after surgical resection. Postopera tive radiotherapy (RT) could improve survival, but curative RT may induce d elayed life-threatening radiation-induced liver damage. Because RT inhibits liver regeneration, we hypothesized that unirradiated, transplanted hepato cytes would proliferate preferentially in a partially resected and irradiat ed liver, providing metabolic support. We subjected F344 rats to hepatic RT and partial hepatectomy with/without a single intrasplenic, syngeneic hepa tocyte transplantation. Hepatocyte transplantation ameliorated radiation-in duced liver damage and improved survival of rats receiving RT after partial hepatectomy. We further demonstrated that transplanted hepatocytes extensi vely repopulate and function in a heavily irradiated rat liver.