A clinical study of bone mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis induced by hepatolenticular degeneration.

The efficacy of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) on liver fibrosis in animal has been proven, but a few studies have been made in human body and few such researches in China. This study was designed to investigate the effect of BMSC treatment on hepatic fibrosis induced by hepatolenticular degeneration and the influence on serological indicators. Sixty patients with liver fibrosis induced by hepatolenticular degeneration were randomly divided into two groups, a penicillamine group and a BMSCs plus penicillamine group, with 30 patients in each. The therapeutic effects on hepatic fibrosis, liver function, and serological indicators were recorded before and after the treatment, and the data were compared. After treatment, serum levels of HA, PCIII, LN, CIV, TIMP-1, and MMP-1 were reduced in both groups (P < 0.05). However, cytokine levels in the BMSCs plus penicillamine group were significantly lower than those in the penicillamine group (P < 0.05). Combination therapy with BMSCs and penicillamine had a significant positive effect on liver fibrosis induced by hepatolenticular degeneration.