BackgroundCurrently available treatment options for decompensated hepatitis B-induced liver cirrhosis are limited and largely ineffective. Recently, stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising treatment for cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation can improve liver functional reserve in patients with hepatitis B-induced cirrhosis.Material/MethodsIn this study, 51 patients with hepatitis B-induced liver cirrhosis were assigned to the treatment group (n=23) or the control group (n=28). The treatment group underwent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in addition to comprehensive medical treatment, and the control group received comprehensive medical treatment alone. Liver functional reserve was monitored for 48 weeks after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.ResultsAfter transplantation, most patients showed improvements in symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia, and abdominal distension. The retention rate of indocyanine green at 15 minutes, a common indicator of liver functional reserve, declined from 41.99±4.68 at baseline to 37.79±3.75 by 48 weeks after transplantation, showing significant improvement.ConclusionsAutologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation can improve several markers of liver health and liver functional reserve and is a promising prospect for clinical application.

Background:Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may eventually lead to decompensated liver cirrhosis, which is a terminal illness.Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of autologous peripheral blood stem cell (APBSC) transplantation to improve portal vein hemodynamics in patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis.Patients and Methods:This prospective study included 68 hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis. These patients were divided into two groups: the transplantation group included 33 patients, while the control group included 35. Both groups received conventional medical treatment simultaneously, and APBSC transplantation was performed on the patients in the transplantation group. We evaluated the effects of APBSC transplantation on postoperative liver function using the following indices: total bilirubin, serum prothrombin and albumin, spleen size, and portal vein hemodynamics. Postoperatively, all of the patients were followed up at 24, 36, and 48 weeks.Results:The transplantation group had no serious reactions. Compared with the control group, albumin and prothrombin activity in the transplantation group was significantly improved at 24, 36, and 48 weeks after the procedure, and spleen length and portal vein diameter were substantially reduced at 48 weeks. The velocity of peak portal vein blood flow and mean maximum portal vein blood flow were greatly increased in the APBSC transplantation group at 36 and 48 weeks, respectively; however, there was also decreased portal vein diameter, which reduced portal vein pressure in patients with HBV-related decompensated cirrhosis.Conclusions:APBSC transplantation greatly benefits HBV-linked decompensated cirrhosis patients and should be recommended in clinical practice.

Antiviral therapy with NUCs may reduce the mortality rate and improve the long-term prognosis of patients with CHB-LF.