Autologous bone marrow stem cell transplantation for treatment terminal liver diseases / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cell (BMSCs) transplantation in the treatment of liver failure and decompensated hepatic cirrhosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BMSC transplantation can significantly improve the liver function of patients with terminal liver disease with good safety and effectiveness.</p>

Correlation of HBV genotypes to the therapeutic effect of PEG-interferon and the pathological changes of the liver of chronic hepatitis B patients / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation of HBV genotypes to the response to PEG-interferon alpha (PEG-IFN) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time fluorescent PCR was used for HBV genotyping in 48 CHB patients, and the therapeutic effects of PEG-IFN and hepatic pathological changes were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No obvious differences were noted in ALT and HBV DNA levels or negative rate for HBeAg between patients with genotypes B and C (P>0.05). The sustained response rate was significantly higher in genotype B than in genotype C patients 48 weeks o after the therapy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBV genotype is the main factor for predicting PEG-IFN therapy response in CHB patients, and the sustained response rate is significantly higher in genotype B than in genotype C patients.</p>