title: Observations during long-term plasma exchange in primary biliary cirrhosis.
abstract: Plasma exchange was performed weekly during 6 months in two patients with symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis. At the end of the treatment period improvement of liver demethylating capacity was noted, along with reduced C3 activation and a decrease in serum concentrations of IgM and procollagen III aminopeptide. Serum concentrations of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatases, and anti-mitochondrial antibodies were not affected. These data suggest that long-term plasma exchange may improve liver function and possibly retard the progression of fibrosis in primary biliary cirrhosis.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000626:Aminopeptidases / Q000097:blood; D003167:Complement Activation; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D008105:Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011347:Procollagen / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D011347:Procollagen; D000626:Aminopeptidases