Abstract: Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect and safety of human umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation via peripheral vein in the treatment of different degrees of liver cirrhosis. Methods Sixty-five patients with liver cirrhosis were selected, and divided into stem cell group (n=34) and control group (n=31). Stem cell group included patients with different degrees of cirrhosis: 13 with Child-Pugh A, 14 with Child-Pugh B and 7 with Child-Pugh C respectively, patients in stem cell group were given intravenous infusion of human umbilical cord blood stem cells via peripheral vein on the basis of rou⁃ tine treatment. The changes of liver function and coagulation function were observed before transplantation, 2, 4, 12 and 24 weeks after transplantation. In addition, clinical symptoms and side effects in patients were observed after the stem cell treat⁃ ment. Results (1) Clinical symptoms were improved obviously in patients with Child-Pugh A and B in stem cell group com⁃ pared with those in control group. There were no significant differences in clinical symptoms in patients with Child-Pugh C between stem cell group and control group. (2) Liver of albumin (ALB), prothrombin activity (PTA) were significantly in⁃ creased in patients with Child-Pugh A and B in stem cell group at 2, 4,12 and 24 weeks after treatment than those before treatment. Levels of ALB and PTA were increased in stem cell group at 12 and 24 weeks after treatment than those of control group. The level of cholinesterase (CHE) was increased in stem cell group at 4, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment than thosebefore treatment. There was no significant differences in level of CHE between stem cells group and control group. There was no significant differences in levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL) between stem cell group and control group. There were no significant differences in ALT, AST, TBIL, ALB, CHE and PTA in patients with Child-Pugh C between stem cell group and control group. (3) There were no severe complications and adverse reactions in patients after treatment. Conclusion Human umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation via periph⁃ eral vein is safe and effective for the treatment of liver cirrhosis. The curative effect is much remarkable in patients with Child-Pugh A and B than that in patients with Child-Pugh C.

Key words: cord blood stem cell transplantation, liver cirrhosis, therapy, observation