AIM To investigate whether mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) from adipose-derived stromal cells(ADSCs) and bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs) have similar hepatic differentiation potential.METHODS Mouse ADSCs and BMSCs were isolated and cultured. Their morphological and phenotypic characteristics, as well as their multiple differentiation capacity were compared. A new culture system was established to induce ADSCs and BMSCs into functional hepatocytes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses were performed to identify the induced hepatocytelike cells. CM-Dil-labeled ADSCs and BMSCs were then transplanted into a mouse model of CCl4-induced acute liver failure. fluorescence microscopy was used to track the transplanted MSCs. Liver function was tested by an automatic biochemistry analyzer, and liver tissue histology was observed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining.RESULTS ADSCs and BMSCs shared a similar morphology and multiple differentiation capacity, as well as a similar phenotype(with expression of CD29 and CD90 and no expression of CD11 b or CD45). Morphologically, ADSCs and BMSCs became round and epithelioid following hepatic induction. These two cell types differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells with similar expression of albumin, cytokeratin 18, cytokeratin 19, alpha fetoprotein, and cytochrome P450. fluorescence microscopy revealed that both ADSCs and BMSCs were observed in the mouse liver at different time points. Compared to the control group, both the function of the injured livers and HE staining showed significant improvement in the ADSC-and BMSC-transplanted mice. There was no significant difference between the two MSC groups.CONCLUSION ADSCs share a similar hepatic differentiation capacity and therapeutic effect with BMSCs in an acute liver failure model. ADSCs may represent an ideal seed cell type for cell transplantation or a bio-artificial liver support system. AIM To investigate whether mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were isolated hepatic differentiation potential. METHOODS Mouse ADSCs and BMSCs were isolated and cultured. Their morphological and phenotypic characteristics, as A new culture system was established to induce ADSCs and BMSCs into functional hepatocytes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunofluorescence analyzes performed to identify the induced hepatocytelike cells. CM-Dil-labeled ADSCs and BMSCs were then transplanted into a mouse model of CCl4-induced acute liver failure. Fluorescence microscopy was used to track the transplanted MSCs. Liver function was tested by an automatic biochemistry analyzer, and liver tissue histology was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE ) staining .RESULTS ADSCs and BMSCs shared a similar morphology and multiple differentia These two cell types differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells with the expression of CD29 and CD90 and no expression of CD11b or CD45. Morphologically, ADSCs and BMSCs became round and epithelioid following hepatic induction Similar expression of albumin, cytokeratin 18, cytokeratin 19, alpha fetoprotein, and cytochrome P450. Compared to the control group, both the function of the injured livers and HE staining showed significant improvement in the ADSC-and BMSC-transplanted mice. There was no significant difference between the two MSC groups. CONCLUSION ADSCs share a similar hepatic differentiation capacity and therapeutic effect with BMSCs in an acute liver failure model. an ideal seed cell type for cell transplantation or a bio-artificial liver support system.