Effects of heparin on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of heparin on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.


METHODS
Fifty-two cases under study were divided into two groups, group A and group B. The two groups were given regular treatment and heparin/low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment respectively. Hepatic functions, serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and type IV collagen levels were measured before and after the treatment, and six cases were taken liver biopsy twice.


RESULTS
After treatment, hepatic functions became significantly better in both groups. Serum HA and type IV collagen levels in group B compared with group A, decreased significantly after treatment. Collagen proliferation also decreased in group B after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Heparin/LMWH can inhibit collagen proliferation in liver tissues with hepatitis B.
Shi
Jun
J
Center for Liver Diseases, Shandong Provincial Hospital, 342 Jing Wu Wei Qi Road, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China. sdshij@yahoo.com.cn
Hao
Jing-Hua
JH
Ren
Wan-Hua
WH
Zhu
Ju-Ren
JR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001391:Azo Compounds; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000097:blood; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D005260:Female; D006416:Hematoxylin; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008739:Methyl Green; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008875:Middle Aged
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001391:Azo Compounds; D024141:Collagen Type IV; D004396:Coloring Agents; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; C017768:trichrome stain; D008739:Methyl Green; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin