Hepatitis B and C

Viral hepatitis is an infectious inflammatory disease of the liver. Depending on the type of virus, hepatitis A, B, C, D, E and hepatitis G are distinguished.

Due to the prevalence of the disease and the degree of liver damage, hepatitis B and C have the greatest medical and social significance, being considered to be one of the most dangerous human diseases. Hepatitis B and C are included in the ten most common causes of death in the world and occupy a leading position among infectious diseases. Actually every year more than 1 million people die from liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in the world. It is also known that hepatitis B or C occur in about of 8% of the  population.

Hepatitis B and C show a severe clinical course and are often the cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. In 85% of cases of viral hepatitis the acute phase of the disease becomes chronic. One in five patients with chronic hepatitis is at a risk of liver cirrhosis and one in twenty develops liver cancer. As a rule, about 3-5 persons per 100, infected with hepatitis B, die. The earlier the treatment of hepatitis begins, the better the chances of success are. After about 25 years of infection, chronic hepatitis develops, causing the partial replacement of normal liver tissue by the connective tissue, the structure of liver is broken, its vital functions are altered, cirrhosis is formed. In patients with chronic hepatitis B and C the astenic syndrome develops, which is accompanied by general weakness, fatigue, reduced activity. Jaundice and disorders of the endocrine system, leading to the decrease of potency in men and menstrual irregularities in women.

Treatment of viral hepatitis should be strictly individualized and the choice of the treatment scheme depends on the course and the stage of the disease. Unfortunately, the treatment of viral hepatitis is complicated, long-lasting, extremely expensive and not always effective. The antiviral drugs of alpha-interferons and nucleoside analogues (lamivudine, adefovir, ribovirin) are used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C. This group of drugs significantly reduces the rate of viral replication, prevents the assembly of virions in the liver cells. As maintenance therapy for hepatitis B, the hepatoprotectors and immunnomodulatory drugs are also administered.

Due to the unsatisfactory results of the conventional methods of the viral hepatitis treatment, in recent years, cell therapy is more and more often used by the physicians.

The use of adult stem cells in the treatment of patients with viral hepatitis improves immunity, and thus the immune defense of the body. Furthermore, it is known that stem cells are able to differentiate into hepatocytes (liver cells), helping to restore normal liver tissue and preventing the development of cirrhosis. Multiple cytokines and growth factors, secreted by stem cells, stimulate the natural ability of the liver to regeneration.

In Ukraine, the Institute of Cell Therapy together with the Institute of Surgery and Transplantology n.a. O.O. Shalimov of NAMN realize the scientific and practical projects on the treatment of viral hepatitis using stem cells and already obtained positive results of studies.

Remember, the most important thing in the treatment of hepatitis B and C is not to waste time and to start treatment as soon as possible in order to prevent the complications of the disease (liver cirrhosis and liver cancer) or chronic phase. We suggest you to fill out the form, if you have any questions about the disease, and to make an appointment with our experts.

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