Hepatic Insufficiency
Introduction
Hepatic insufficiency means inability of the liver to function normally. It is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. It can occur due to various reasons: chronic diseases like cirrhosis of liver, chronic intake of alcohol, liver cancerous conditions etc. Every year millions of people die due to liver dysfunction. Treatment of liver dysfunction mainly involves symptomatic and supportive measures. In severe cases of dysfunction liver transplantation is an option. But availability of a genetically matching donor is a major cause of concern.
Iranian scientists have moved to the forefront in embryonic stem cell research, according to a recent joint study by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Treatment
Stem cell therapy is a new emerging treatment modality for various chronic diseases. There is growing interest to evaluate the role of stem cell therapy in various chronic progressive degenerative diseases due to its ability to replace the damaged cells. Liver dysfunction is one of them. Studies have been conducted to evaluate the role of stem cell therapy in liver dysfunction. Initial results are encouraging.
Detailed studies are warranted to establish the definite role of stem cell therapy in liver dysfunction.
Studies in animals have shown that live stem cells promote liver regeneration. It can even regenerate liver cells after partial excision of liver. Human studies have also been conducted. In one such study stem cells derived from bone marrow were injected in patients. Patients showed significant clinical benefit. However exact mechanism of regeneration is not yet understood.
In liver dysfunction there is fibrosis of liver. Fibrosis means generation of non-functioning tissue. The cells responsible for fibrosis are called stellate cells. In liver dysfunction these stellate cells are activated. Stem cell therapy may inhibit these cells. Investigators have opined that modulation of these stellate cells may be of clinical benefit. These modulations may promote stem cells to generate normal liver cells called hepatocytes. These normal liver cells originate from mesenchymal cells. Role of stem cell therapy on the interaction between stellate cells and mesenchymal cells still under evaluation. Detailed studies are warranted to establish the definite role of stem cell therapy in liver dysfunction.