Therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells transplantation in the treatment of chronic liver failure / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells are plentifully and conveniently obtained with a high proliferative ability, and have opened up a new way to treat patients with liver failure as they can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells.OBJECTIVE:To observe the safety and efficacy in the treatment of chronic liver failure by transplanting umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.METHODS:Using parallel contrast method, 50 patients with chronic liver failure were divided into two groups, namely a stem cell group and a control group, containing 25 patients in each group. For the first group, transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, (1.4-2.3)×106/kg, 100 mL, was given on the basis of medical comprehensive treatment,while for the second group only simple medical comprehensive treatment was given. The injection was done every 15 days, totally three times. Liver functions, prothrombin activity, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, clinical symptoms, survival and side effects of the patients were observed before and 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after the treatment.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, the albumin level and prothrombin activity were significantly increased in the stem cell group 12 and 24 weeks after treatment (P 0.05). Four weeks after treatment, clinical symptoms of the stem cell group improved significantly in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05).During the 24-week follow-up, the survival rate in the stem cell group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, there were no adverse reactions and liver cancer associated with the stem cell therapy.Results show that it is safe and effective to treat patients with chronic liver failure through the transplantation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, and the cell transplantation can significantly improve patients' survival rate.