In a Rat Model of Acute Liver Failure, Icaritin Improved the Therapeutic Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Activation of the Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met Pathway.

摘要: Acute liver failure (ALF) is a serious life-threatening condition. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be an effective treatment for this condition and good alternative to transplantation. Icaritin (ICT) active ingredient of the genus Epimedium, traditional Chinese medicine, with potential enhance proliferation MSCs. The purpose study was explore whether ICT increased therapeutic effects MSCs its underlying mechanisms. For in vivo experiments, rat ALF model established by intraperitoneal injection D(+)-galactosamine/ lipopolysaccharide. cocultured were used treat rats protective assessed as survival rate, levels serum AST ALT, histological changes tissue. vitro treated serum-free culture 72 h simulate disruption intrahepatic microcirculation. apoptosis examined determine rescued impaired role hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met pathway constructing genetically modified overexpressing c-Met using receptor inhibitor (crizotinib). results showed that rate reduced damage. exerted greater effect than alone. Further, HGF/c-Met played key antiapoptotic activity MSCs, which associated optimized efficacy ICT. In conclusion, demonstrated enhances ALF, improving upregulation pathway. combination cell therapy herbal extracts improve MSC-based clinical applications.