Mechanism and efficacy of mobilization of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of chronic hepatic failure

Abstract

Background/Aims: To explore the efficacy of G-CSF mobilization in the treatment of chronic liver failure (CLF) and the mechanism of its action. Methodology: The proportions of cluster-of-differentiation (CD)-34+ cells and their receptor-CXCR4 were detected by flow cytometry in patients with different types of chronic HBV infection. The levels of chemokines and cytokines were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The proportion of CD34+ cells in patients with cirrhosis was significantly increased compared with the healthy controls (p<0.05) and was increased obviously after treatment by G-CSF mobilization (p<0.01). The expression levels of SDF-1, SCF and MMP-9 were significantly elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis B and liver cirrhosis (p<0.01). The expression levels of SCF and MMP-9 were significantly elevated after treatment with G-CSF (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in the levels of total bilirubin, albumin and prothrombin time between the treated and control groups; furthermore, no significant differences were observed in the cure and improvement rates between the two groups. Conclusions: The basal levels of stem cell mobilization in patients with liver cirrhosis might be associated with the repair of liver injury. G-CSF could promote hematopoietic stem cell mobilization through regulation of the expression levels of stem-cell-mobilization-related factors in patients with liver cirrhosis. No apparent effects of G-CSF therapy on both liver function and short-term prognosis in patients with liver cirrhosis were confirmed. © H.G.E. Update Medical Publishing S.A.