Integrated Functional and Histopathological Modulation of Chronic Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis by Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in a Preclinical Model

TL;DR

This study shows that mesenchymal stem cell therapy can reduce liver damage and slow fibrosis progression in a rat model of chronic liver disease.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that MSC therapy can partially reverse liver fibrosis and stabilize function in a preclinical chronic model.

Findings

MSC treatment reduced transaminase levels by 40–45% and improved hepatic synthetic function.

Histopathological analysis showed reduced fibrotic burden and limited fibrogenic progression.

MSC therapy mitigated hematological alterations and stabilized liver function without fully reversing fibrosis.

Abstract

Background: Chronic liver fibrosis is a progressive pathological condition characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and architectural remodeling, which may ultimately lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit antifibrotic and immunomodulatory properties, their therapeutic effects in established chronic liver fibrosis remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical, hematological, and histopathological effects of MSC therapy in a chronic thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis model. Methods: A controlled preclinical experimental study was conducted using rats with liver fibrosis induced by intraperitoneal thioacetamide administration for 24 weeks. Animals were allocated into three groups: control, untreated fibrosis, and fibrosis treated with MSCs derived from human umbilical cord tissue after fibrosis establishment. Serum biochemical markers, hematological parameters, and liver histopathology were assessed. Fibrosis severity was evaluated using hematoxylin–eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining and graded according to the METAVIR scoring system. Results: Thioacetamide exposure induced chronic liver injury characterized by marked elevations in serum transaminases, reduced albumin and total protein levels, hematological alterations, and early-to-intermediate fibrosis stages (METAVIR F1–F2). MSC-treated animals exhibited approximately 40–45% reductions in transaminase levels, partial recovery of hepatic synthetic function, and attenuation of hematological alterations. Histopathological analysis demonstrated a reduction in fibrotic burden and limitation of fibrogenic progression within METAVIR F1–F2 stages. Conclusions: MSC therapy partially mitigates biochemical, hematological, and histopathological alterations associated with chronic thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis, supporting its potential as a modulatory strategy to attenuate fibrogenic progression and stabilize liver function rather than as a curative intervention.

Figures