title: Effect of partial splenic embolization on the immune function of cirrhosis patients with hypersplenism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discover the effect of partial splenic embolization on the immune function of cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients involved in the study were enrolled and divided into three groups, including control group, experimental group, and complication group. Numbers of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and CD4(+)CD25(+)CDl27(low/-) Treg cells in the peripheral blood of patients before surgery, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery were analyzed by fluorescence active cell sorting (FACS). Contents of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were analyzed by auto immunoassay analyzer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the peripheral blood of patients from experimental group, numbers of CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells initially declined, but afterwards increased to normal level; in the peripheral blood of patients from complication group, CD3(+) and CD8(+) T cells showed the same trend, but the number of CD4(+) T cells was below normal level at all detection times. Furthermore, CD3(+), CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in the peripheral blood of patients from complication group were initially less than those in experimental group, and afterwards were comparable between two groups. In patients from both experimental group and complication group, the number of CD4(+) CD25(+) CDl27(low/-)Treg cells increased 1 month and 6 months after surgery, and gradually restored to normal level. CD4(+)CD25(+)CDl27(low/-) Treg cell counts in patients from complication group were initially more than those in patients from experimental group 1 month and 6 months after surgery, but then they were comparable. Furthermore, contents of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) were comparable in three groups at all detection times.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Partial splenic embolization influenced the immune function of cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism in the short term but the immune function could afterwards gradually restore to normal. Our results implicated that measures that prevent infection and improve immune function were necessary in early stage after undergoing PSE in order to reduce complications.
authors.affiliation: Guangxi Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Gui-Yun
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.affiliation: Hainan Medical University, China.
authors.forename: Chuan-Zhu
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: The Affiliate Hospital of Hainan Medical College, China.
authors.forename: Deng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: The Affiliate Hospital of Hainan Medical College, China.
authors.forename: Shao-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Guangxi Medical University, China. Electronic address: Lichaoqiangood@163.com.
authors.forename: Chao-Qian
authors.initials: CQ
authors.lastname: Li
keywords: Cirrhosis; Hypersplenism; Immune function; Partial splenic embolization; Viral hepatitis type B