Effects of heparin on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

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 caseswere 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.