OBJECTIVETo investigate the differentiation of bone marrow stem cells in transplanted livers and its impact on the long-term survival of rats with orthotopic liver transplantation.

METHODSTwenty-four female recipient rats with orthotopic liver transplantation were randomized into blank-control group, D-hanks solution group, bone marrow stem cells group with postoperative infusion of stem cells, and the pathological changes of the liver grafts and survival time of the rats were observed. The differentiation of the bone marrow stem cells were assessed 60 days after transplantation using in situ hybridization histochemistry for Sry gene and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSIn rats with postoperative infusion of bone marrow stem cells through the portal vein, the median long-term graft survival time exceeded 180 days, significantly longer than that in the other two groups (P<0.05), and no obvious evidence of acute rejection was observed with positive Sry expression and AFP expression.

CONCLUSIONInfusion of bone marrow stem cells through the portal vein following liver transplantation may alleviate acute graft rejection and promote long-term liver graft survival and AFP expression.