Umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation via hepatic artery in treatment of liver cirrhosis

Abstract

Thirty four patients with decompensated cirrhosis received umbilical blood stem cell transplantation via hepatic artery from December 2008 to August 2009. The symptoms and biochemical testing results were observed before and after stem cell transplantation. One month after the transplantation,appetite was improved in 32 patients ( 94% ), physical capacity improved in 29 patients ( 85% ) and the abdominal distention relieved in 28 patients (82%). Abdominal B-ultrasonography showed that ascites decreased in 15 cases(60% ), and disappeared in 9 cases(36% ). Six month later the mean serum albumin levels were increased from ( 30. 9 ± 0. 6) g/L to ( 35.5 ± 2. 5 ) g/L( P ＞ 0. 05 );alanine aminotransferase levels decreased from (57 ±7) U/L to (46 ± 10) U/L(P ＞0. 05);total bilirubin decreased from (47 ±5 )μmol/L to (25 ±4) μmol/L(P =0. 017);prothrombin time decreased from ( 17.9 ±0. 7) s to ( 16. 4 ±1.3) s (P ＞ 0. 05 ). Hemophagocytic syndrome developed in one case but no severe adverse reactions occurred. The results indicate that umbilical blood stem cell transplantation may improve liver function in various degrees with safety for patients with liver cirrhosis. Key words: stem cell transplantation ; cirrhosis ;