Objective       To analyze the yield

purity and viability of hepatocytes obtained through portal vein or inferior vena cava perfusion

and determine their efficiencies in the treatment of acute liver injury (ALI) via intrasplenic injection.       Methods       After mouse ALI model was successfully established in 42 mice through partial hepatectomy

the mice were randomly and equally divided into 3 groups: the portal vein group [receiving an injection of 0.1 mL (1.0×10

6

) hepatocyte suspe

nsion which primed by portal vein perfusion from donor mice into the receiver mice’spleen

]

the inferior vena cava group (receiving same injection of same dose of cell suspension but primed by inferior vena cava perfusion)

and the control group (receiving same injection of 0.1 mL D-Hank’s solution). The liver function

hepatocytes distribution and albumin synthesis in the spleen were detected and observed on the first

fifth and ninth days after transplantation.       Results       The hepatocytes obtained through portal vein perfusion had higher yield (P=0.014)

purity (P=0.010) and viability (P=0.001) than the cells by inferior vena cava perfusion. The serum levels of ALT (P=0.02) and AST (P=0.01) were obviously declined in the 2 treatment groups than in the control

with the portal vein group more significant. On the ninth day after cell injection

laser confocal immunofluorescence microscopy displayed that the intensity of albumin was stronger in the portal vein group than the inferior vena cava group. HE staining indicated that the hepatic cells in the portal vein group were normal in morphology and clear in structure

but the cells in the inferior vena cava group fuzzy were indistinct in cell structure and vague in the organelles.       Conclusion       The hepatocytes obtained through portal vein perfusion are superior to the cells by inferior vena cava perfusion in the yield

purity and viability

and also in the treatment of ALI in mice.