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Histological improvement following administration of autologous bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells for alcoholic cirrhosis: a pilot study
Author(s) -
Jang Yoon Ok,
Kim Young Ju,
Baik Soon Koo,
Kim Moon Young,
Eom Young Woo,
Cho Mee Yon,
Park Hong Jun,
Park So Yeon,
Kim Bo Ra,
Kim Jae Woo,
Soo Kim Hyun,
Kwon Sang Ok,
Choi Eun Hee,
Kim Yong Man
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
liver international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.873
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1478-3231
pISSN - 1478-3223
DOI - 10.1111/liv.12218
Subject(s) - cirrhosis , medicine , mesenchymal stem cell , alcoholic liver disease , bone marrow , fibrosis , liver biopsy , biopsy , gastroenterology , pathology , stem cell , biology , genetics
Background In experimental models, bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells ( BM ‐ MSC s) have the capacity to differentiate into hepatocytes and exhibit antifibrotic effects. However, there have been no studies in humans with alcoholic cirrhosis. Aim The aim of this study was to elucidate the antifibrotic effect of BM ‐ MSC s in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, as a phase II clinical trial. Methods Twelve patients (11 males, 1 female) with baseline biopsy‐proven alcoholic cirrhosis who had been alcohol free for at least 6 months were enrolled. BM ‐ MSC s were isolated from each patient's BM and amplified for 1 month, and 5 × 10 7 cells were then injected twice, at weeks 4 and 8, through the hepatic artery. One patient was withdrawn because of ingestion of alcohol. Finally, 11 patients completed the follow‐up biopsy and laboratory tests at 12 weeks after the second injection. The primary outcome was improvement in the patients’ histological features. Results According to the Laennec fibrosis system, histological improvement was observed in 6 of 11 patients (54.5%). The Child‐Pugh score improved in ten patients (90.9%) and the levels of transforming growth factor‐β1, type 1 collagen and α‐smooth muscle actin significantly decreased (as assessed by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) after BM ‐ MSC s therapy ( P < 0.05). No significant complications or side effects were observed during this study. Conclusions Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells therapy in alcoholic cirrhosis induces a histological and quantitative improvement of hepatic fibrosis.