[Autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation for treatment terminal liver diseases].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell (BMSCs) transplantation in the treatment of liver failure and decompensated hepatic cirrhosis.


METHODS
Bone marrow was harvested (65-95 ml) from 24 patients in the transplantation group. The BMSCs were isolated and infused into liver or spleen of patients via hepatic or splenic artery. At different time points after the transplantation, the patients' liver function and prothrombin time (PT) were evaluated, and the survival rate and symptoms of the patients were recorded.


RESULTS
All the serum biochemical indexes remained stable 2 weeks after the transplantation, and at 4 weeks after transplantation, albumin level increased significantly in comparison with the preoperative level (P<0.05). At 12 weeks, the albumin level further increased (P<0.01) along with Pre-ALB (P<0.01), while total bilirubin, tolal bile acid, PT and fibrinogen were all significantly lowered (P<0.05), and globulin, ALT, and AST remained unchanged (P>0.05). One week after the transplantation, improved appetite was observed in 22 cases (91.67%), and 21 cases (87.5%) showed better physical strength; at 2 weeks, hepatic face improved in 15 cases (62.5%), and spider telangiectasia was significantly reduced in one case; at 12 weeks, the survival rate of the patients was 62.5%, and 9 died or gave up treatment due to chronic liver failure complicated by spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome, or DIC. No complications associated with the transplantation occurred in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
BMSC transplantation can significantly improve the liver function of patients with terminal liver disease with good safety and effectiveness.
Pan
Xing-nan
XN
Liver Disease Center of Nanjing Command, 180 Hospital of PLA, Quanzhou 362000, China. qz180pxn@Yahoo.com.cn
Shen
Jian-kun
JK
Zhuang
Yue-peng
YP
Chen
Xian-li
XL
Li
Yi-xin
YX
Chen
Li-juan
LJ
Yang
Hong
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult