Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Acute Liver Injury: A Mechanistic Study Based on the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway

Acute liver injury (ALI) involves complex pathogenesis and lacks effective clinical therapies. Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) demonstrate therapeutic potential, the role and mechanisms of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) from Luopan Mountain pigs remain unclear. This study assessed the therapeutic potential of Luopan Mountain pig ADSCs in a D-GalN-induced rat model of ALI and investigated its association with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB axis. Results showed that ADSCs transplantation significantly improved liver function (by reducing ALT, AST, and TBIL levels and increasing ALB levels) and alleviated histopathological damage in liver tissue. Mechanistically, ADSCs conferred multi-faceted hepatoprotection via inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB axis, synergistically downregulating proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8), enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD, GSH-PX), and promoting the expression of the hepatocyte regeneration marker Ki67. We demonstrate for the first time that Luopan Mountain pig ADSCs synergistically repair acute liver injury by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, offering novel insights for cell therapy in ALI.