Brief Reports
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2003. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 15, 2003; 9(7): 1611-1614
Published online Jul 15, 2003. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i7.1611
Effects of heparin on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Jun Shi, Jing-Hua Hao, Wan-Hua Ren, Ju-Ren Zhu
Jun Shi, Jing-Hua Hao, Wan-Hua Ren, Ju-Ren Zhu, Center for Liver Diseases, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by Research Grant of Shandong Provincial Health Committee. No. 2001CA2CKA2
Correspondence to: Dr. Jun Shi, Center for Liver Diseases, Shandong Provincial Hospital, 342 Jing Wu Wei Qi Road, Jinan 250021, Shandong Province, China. sdshij@yahoo.com.cn
Telephone: +86-531-7938911-2450
Received: November 29, 2002
Revised: February 4, 2003
Accepted: March 2, 2003
Published online: July 15, 2003
Abstract

AIM: To evaluate the effects of heparin on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODS: Fifty-two cases under study were divided into two groups, group A and group B. The two groups were given regular treatment and heparin/low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment respectively. Hepatic functions, serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and type IV collagen levels were measured before and after the treatment, and six cases were taken liver biopsy twice.

RESULTS: After treatment, hepatic functions became significantly better in both groups. Serum HA and type IV collagen levels in group B compared with group A, decreased significantly after treatment. Collagen proliferation also decreased in group B after treatment.

CONCLUSION: Heparin/LMWH can inhibit collagen proliferation in liver tissues with hepatitis B.

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