Changes of contents of serum markers of hepatic fibrosis after matrine treatment in patients with chronic B hepatitis

Objective: To explore the effect of matrine on reversal of hepatic fibrosis. Methods: Serum hyaluronic acid ( HA), laminin (LN) and type III procollagen (PC III) levels were measured with RIA in 40 patients with chronic B hepatitis treated with matrine and 40 other patients treated without matrine both before and 3, 6 months after treatment as well as in 32 controls. Results: Before treatment, the serum contents of all the three markers in both groups of patients were significantly higher than those in the controls (P<0.01). In the group treated with additional matrine, levels of these markers dropped significantly at 3 and 6 months (vs before treatment, both P<0.01). However, in the group without matrine, the levels increased slightly though not significantly at 3 months (P>0.05) and increased further at 6 months (vs before treatment, P<0.01). There were no significant differences between the levels of the markers in the two groups of patients at 3 months (P>0.05), but the levels in the matrine group were significantly lower than those in the group without matrine at 6 months (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Matrine exerts marked anti-fibrosis effect in patients with chronic B hepatitis. (authors)