Bibliometric analysis of research on the use of mesenchymal stem cells in acute and chronic liver diseases

Objective: to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of publications from 2008 to 2024 on the problem of cell therapy for liver diseases using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with stem-like properties, with the goal of identifying new ways to tackle this problem. Materials and methods. A bibliometric analysis was carried out using the Scopus electronic database. The search included article titles, abstracts, and keywords. The dataset was exported in BibTeX and CSV formats for compatibility with VOSviewer and R software. Data were analyzed using R (version 4.4.2) and visualized through the Bibliometrix online analytical platform and VOSviewer (version 1.6.20). Results. The analysis identified four distinct periods of publication activity reflecting the evolution of research into the use of MSCs for liver regeneration in cases of liver injury. Period 1 (2008–2012) – This phase was marked by exploratory studies investigating the therapeutic potential of MSCs derived from various sources, including bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord cells. Early findings highlighted the promise of MSC-based therapy and underscored the need for more rigorous and targeted research. Period 2 (2013–2016) – During this period, research focused on elucidating the mechanisms underlying the regulatory and regenerative effects of MSCs on damaged organs. Significant progress was made in the field of tissue engineering, aimed at enhancing the survival and functional integration of apoptotic MSCs post-transplantation. Period 3 (2017–2020), and more notably period 4 (2021–2024), were marked by the expansion, deepening, and intensification of research into the properties of apoptotic MSCs. Particular emphasis was placed on the regulatory functions and therapeutic potential of their secreted paracrine and trophic factors – specifically exosomes, extracellular vesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Conclusion. This bibliometric analysis has outlined key directions for further research in the development and application of cell technologies, particularly the use of MSCs in regenerative medicine. Future studies will likely focus on identifying the most active paracrine and trophic factors, elucidating their chemical structures and biological functions, and subsequently manufacturing chemical and pharmaceutical agents with bioactive regenerative properties. Such advancements would help standardize the production of MSC-based therapeutics and increase their availability for clinical use. Moreover, the bibliometric approach applied in this study can serve as a valuable tool for tracking and forecasting trends in related biomedical research fields.

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