Author/Authors :
Vosough، Massoud نويسنده Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran , , Moossavi، Shirin نويسنده Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , , Mardpour، Soura نويسنده Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran , , Akhlaghpoor، Shahram نويسنده Noor Medical Imaging Center Tehran , , Azimian، Vajiheh نويسنده Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran , , Jarughi، Neda نويسنده Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran , , Hosseini، Esmat نويسنده Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran , , Ashrafi، Mandana نويسنده Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , , Nikfam، Sepideh نويسنده Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , , Aghdami، Nasser نويسنده Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran , , Malekzadeh، Reza نويسنده Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , , Mohamadnejad، Mehdi نويسنده Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences , , Baharvand، Hossein نويسنده Department of Regenerative Medicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran ,
Abstract :
BACKGROUND:
Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in combination with pioglitazone, an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), can reduce liver fibrosis in models of liver injury. In this study, we conducted a pilot study of intraportal infusion of autologous MSCs in combination with pioglitazone to assess safety, feasibility, and effectiveness in patients with compensated cirrhosis.
METHODS:
Two patients with compensated cirrhosis were enrolled in this study. Intraportal autologous bone marrow-derived MSCs were transplanted twice (6 months interval) to the patients. Meanwhile, 30 mg/day pioglitazone was prescribed for 12 months. Patients were assessed at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, and 12 post-infusion.
RESULTS:
Procedural complications or any major adverse effects did not occur in this pilot study. The patientsʹ clinical conditions remained stable with no evidence of deterioration during the course of the study. A transient improvement in the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was observed at month 3 post-infusion in one patient, which eventually returned to baseline at month 12.
CONCLUSION:
The combination of pioglitazone with MSCs is safe and feasible. The data justify further study of the combination therapy in cirrhotic patients.
