Danshao huaxian capsule in treatment of decompensated cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis B.
BACKGROUND
The prognosis of decompensated cirrhosis resulting from chronic hepatitis B is poor, and the benefits of treatment with interferon are outweight serious side-effects and the risk of fatal exacerbation of disease. Danshao huaxian capsule rapidly reduces hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA in serum to undetectable levels.


METHODS
A total of 35 patients with chronic hepatitis B and decompensated cirrhosis were treated with danshao huaxian 1.2 g. p.o. tid daily. Before the treatment, HBV-DNA in serum was positive in all patients. Ten patients had Child-Pugh class B and 25, class C hepatitis B. Seven patients underwent liver transplantation within 6 months of initial treatment. Of the 10 patients of class B, 5 died within 6 months, and the other 5 did not complete the treatment for some reasons; the 25 patients of class C were treated for at least 6 months (mean=19 months).


RESULTS
In most of the 25 patients, liver function was improved slowly but markedly after 9 months of treatment, showing a decreased level of serum bilirubin from 67+/-13 to 30+/-4 micromol/L (P<0.05, baseline vs. 6 months), an increased level of serum albumin from 27+/-1 to 34+/-1 g/L (P<0.05) and a decreased level of Child-Pugh score from 10.3+/-0.4 to 7.5+/-0.5 (P<0.05). Three patients developed resistance to danshao huaxian because of a mutation in the YMDD motif, but liver function was not deteriorated. Inhibition of viral replication with danshao huaxian resulted in a significant improvement of liver function in patients with decompensated HBV cirrhosis, but the long-term results remain uncertain.


CONCLUSIONS
Danshao huaxian capsule is effective in inhibiting viral DNA replication in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and making clinical improvement.
Cheng
Ming-Liang
ML
Department of Infectious Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang 550004, China. chengml@21cn.com
Lu
Tong
T
Yao
Yu-Mei
YM
Geng
Xiao-Xia
XX
D002214:Capsules; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D002214:Capsules; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens; D012367:RNA, Viral