Abstract: Objective The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of transarterial intrahepatic transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) in the treatment of patients with decompensated hepatitis B-induced liver cirrhosis (LC). Methods A total of 76 patients with decompensated hepatitis B-induced LC were enrolled in our hospital between January 2015 and January 2020, and 41 patients received transarterial intrahepatic transplantation of BMSCs and all patients were treated by comprehensive internal medical therapy. Results At the end of 24 week treatment, serum bilirubin level in patients receiving BMSC transplantation was (17.2±2.3)μmol/L, significantly lower than [(21.7±2.9)μmol/L, P<0.05], while serum albumin and prealbumin levels were (31.4±5.8)g/L and (241.4±54.3)mg/l, significantly higher than [(28.9±5.2)g/L and (197.8±42.7)mg/l, respectively, P<0.05] in the control; serum hyaluronic acid, type III procollagen and type IV collagen levels were (116.1±42.7)μg/L, (67.1±18.1)μg/L and (92.2±14.9)g/L, significantly lower than [(163.5±38.8)μg/L, (98.7±21.3)μg/L and (112.8±16.7)g/L, respectively, P<0.05] in the control; the percentages of peripheral blood CD3⁺ cells and CD4⁺ cells as well as the ratio of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ cells were (67.2±4.3)%, (42.8±1.2)% and (1.5±0.1), significantly higher than [(60.8±3.3)%, (37.6±4.6)% and (1.4±0.1), respectively, P<0.05] in the control; the Child-Pugh score was (7.8±1.7), and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was (14.3±2.8), both significantly lower than [(8.8±2.3) and (17.6±2.4), respectively, P<0.05] in the control. Conclusion Transarterial intrahepatic transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells could effectively and safely improve liver functions in patients with decompensated hepatitis B cirrhosis, which is worthy of further clinical verification.

Key words: Liver cirrhosis, Autologous bone marrow stem cells, Transarterial intrahepatic transplantation, Therapy