Overall, gastrointestinal function is improved after colorectal cancer surgery. However, women and younger patients are at higher risk of postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction.

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Objective Adipose tissue stem cells (ADSCs) present a promising therapeutic method to alleviate liver failure (LF). The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of undifferentiated ADSC transplantation on liver regeneration and on the expression of liver regeneration- and liver-specific genes, following 60% partial hepatectomy (PHx). Methods Sixty female rats were subjected to PHx and were transplanted with 106 or 2 × 106 ADSCs, either into the portal vein (PV) or into the hepatic parenchyma. Animals of the control group were not transplanted and served as controls. Animals were sacrificed on the 4th, the 7th, or the 15th postoperative day (POD). Results The transplanted ADSCs were successfully engrafted into the liver parenchyma and ameliorated the histopathologic damage on the 7th and 15th POD. All transplanted animals demonstrated a significantly higher liver regeneration rate on the 4th and 7th POD, compared with the control group. The expression of hepatocyte growth factor, α-fetoprotein, tyrosine aminotransferase, hepatocyte nuclear factor 4a, and cytochrome P450 1A2 was significantly upregulated, compared with the control group. Conclusions Although undifferentiated, ADSC transplantation significantly enhanced the liver regeneration process. These findings may be proven clinically valuable, especially in cases of acute LF.

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Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an attractive source for regenerative medicine because they are easily accessible through minimally invasive methods and have the potential to enhance liver regeneration (LG) and improve liver function, following partial hepatectomy (PH) and acute or chronic liver injury. A systematic review of the literature was conducted for articles published up to September 1st, 2016, using the MEDLINE database. The keywords that were used in various combinations were as follows: “Mesenchymal stem cells”, “transplantation”, “stem cells”, “adipose tissue derived stem cells”, “bone marrow-derived stem cells”, “partial hepatectomy”, “acute liver failure”, “chronic liver failure”, “liver fibrosis”, “liver cirrhosis”, “rats”, “mice”, and “liver regeneration”. All introduced keywords were searched for separately in MeSH Database to control relevance and terminological accuracy and validity. A total of 41 articles were identified for potential inclusion and reviewed in detail. After a strict selection process, a total of 28 articles were excluded, leaving 13 articles to form the basis of this systematic review. MSCs transplantation promoted LG and improved liver function. Furthermore, MSCs had the ability to differentiate in hepatocyte-like cells, increase survival, and protect hepatocytes by paracrine mechanisms. MSCs transplantation may provide beneficial effects in the process of LG after PH and acute or chronic liver injury. They may represent a new therapeutic option to treat posthepatectomy acute liver failure.

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Focal Nodular Hyperplasia (FNH) is a rare benign hepatic lesion believed to generate upon a hyperplastic response of the hepatocyte. Hepatocellular Adenoma (HA) occurs predominantly in young women receiving oral contraceptive medication. These two lesions have drawn significant attention throughout the recent years due to their specific clinical and pathological features as well as their challenging management. Although Focal Nodular Hyperplasia is managed conservatively in the majority of cases, it can albeit pose a difficult diagnostic dilemma. On the other hand, Hepatocellular Adenoma can be complicated with catastrophic hemorrhage or malignant transformation and therefore mandates surgical excision in many cases. The aim of this work is to review the current literature pertaining to these two clinical entities regarding their pathogenesis, diagnostic approach and genetics, as well as to shed light on specific differential diagnostic issues arising in many cases these lesions are encountered.