Abstract:

Objective

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of donor stem cell infusion in the patients following liver transplantation in the early postoperative period.

Methods

Thirty patients undergoing liver transplantation from Mar 2008 to Dec 2008 were randomly divided into control group (22 patients)and experimental group(8 patients).Experimental group were performed donor stem cell infusion and liver transplantation,control group were only performed liver transplantation. Recovery of liver function, the incidence of acute rejection and infectious complications,postoperative hospital stay and costs were observed.

Results

experimental group patients showed a significantly lower total dose of methylprednisolone, daily dose of FK506 [methylprednisolone (1884±256)mg vs (1314±105)mg, P＜0.01; FK506: (4.93±0.62)mg/d vs (3.73±0.35)mg/d, P＜0.01]. It also showed a significantly lower incidence of acute rejection (0/8 vs 4/22,P＜0.05).Significantly lower level of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase on postoperative 1,3 day were found.There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of infectious complications, serum transaminase on postoperative 7 day, serum total bilirubin, albumin and glutamyl transpeptidase enzyme on postoperative 1,3,7 day.No significant differences between the two groups in postoperative hospital length of stay and hospitalization costs.

Conclusions

Donor stem cell infusion can reduce the dosage of immunosuppressant,decrease incidence of acu terejection and reduce hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury for the liver transplant recipient.It is a safe and effective tr eatmentmeasures for for the liver transplantrecipient.

Key words: Livertransplantation, Myeloidprogenitorcells, Immunosuppressiveagents, Graftrejection