ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HO) and free radical antagonists (FRA) on liver fibrosis (LF) in chronic hepatitis (CH) patients.Methods Seventy-two CH patients were ran- domly divided into a HO-FRA group (36 cases) and a control group (36 cases).The patients in the control group received routine treatment,while patients in the HO-FRA group were treated with hyperbaric oxygen,vitamin E and vitamin C.All patients' livers were examined ultrasonically,and liver function and blood fibrosis indices were meas- ured before and after the treatment.Results Compared with those in the control group,the concentrations of blood hyaluronic acid,laminin,precollagen and typeⅣcollagen were all significantly lower in the HO-FRA group.Ultra- sonic imaging showed that the main portal and the splenic vein diameter,and the length and thickness of the spleen had also significantly declined in the HO-FRA group after treatment.Conclusion HO and FRAs can nelp to stave off liver fibrosis as indicated by blood and ultrasonic fibrosis indices.