Abstract:Objective:To study the metabolic support function of transplanted hepatocytes labled by green fluorescent protein in the animal model of radiation-induced liver damage(RILD) in vivo,and evaluate the therapeutic effects of transplanted hepatocytes in RILD. Methods:The models were constructed by exposing rats liver to 60Co irradiation,the dose being 40 Gy,and the dose ratio 100 cG/min. Four days later,the rats underwent partial hepatectomy,and were divided into two groups randomly. In the experimental group,5.0×106 hepatocytes transfected by Ad-EGFP were injected into the spleens while the control underwent physiologic saline injection in the same places. Blood samples were obtained at an interval of 5 weeks to measure the serum albumin level of the two groups,and histopathological changes were evaluated by light and electron microscopic examination. The survival rates of the two group were observed dynamically. Results:One week after hepatocytes transplantation(HT),serum albumin level of the experimental group ascended obviously,having significant differences with that of the control. It still ascended progressively 5 weeks later,showing significant differences with that of the control,as well as itself 5 weeks earlier. The differences of mortality rates between the two groups in 1 week and in 5 weeks after HT both show statistical significance. Histological examination suggested that radiative damage were ameliorated in the experimental group compared with that in the control. Conclusion:After transplanted into the spleens of the RILD model,congeneic rat hepatocytes can provide fairly good metabolic support and raise the short-term survival rate in the rat model.