Abstract
We investigated the potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in preventing post-hepatectomy liver failure, emphasizing the necessity of direct administration using a scaffold to harness their paracrine effects. A fibrin gel scaffold was employed for ADSCs (gelADSCs) to assess their therapeutic impact on liver regeneration in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Experiments were conducted on C57BL/6 mice with normal livers and those with chronic hepatitis. We also explored the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by ADSCs in conjunction with fibrin gel. GelADSCs showed sustained release of hepatocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and stromal cell–derived factor 1 for at least 7 days in vitro. In vivo, gel ADSCs significantly enhanced postoperative liver regeneration by upregulating the cell cycle and fatty acid oxidation in both normal and chronically hepatitis-affected mice. The therapeutic effects of gel ADSCs were notably superior to those of intravenously administered ADSCs, especially in mice with chronic hepatitis. Increased EV secretion associated with fibrin gel use was significantly linked to enhanced liver regeneration post-surgery through the promotion of fatty acid oxidation. The findings underscore the enhanced therapeutic potential of gelADSCs, particularly in the context of chronic hepatitis, compared to intravenous administration.