Use of human fetal liver cells for treatment of patients with lower limb peripheral artery disease

Abstract

In the group of patients (n = 21, mean age 54 ± 5.8 years) with chronic lower limb ischemia stage IIB who were non-liable for reconstructiverestoration surgery, we have established positive clinical effects of local transplantation of human fetal liver progenitor cells. Complex examination following 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transplantation included duplex scanning of limb arteries, x-ray contrast arteriography and laser Doppler flowmetry as well as measuring pain-free walking and evaluating life quality based on individual questionnaire data.Owing to the transplant “Cryopreserved human fetal liver progenitor cells” the patients demonstrated stable increase of life quality index and pain-free walking as well as improvement of general health allowing assign them to the group of patients with lower ischemia stage, quicker social rehabilitation and lesser risk of disabling surgery (р < 0.05). Also, there were observations of improved microcirculation in the ischemic extremities owing to activation of endothelium-independent mechanisms of vasodilatation, reduced myotonus and neurotonus of the pre-capillaries and improved endothelium-dependent influence on the microhaemodynamic and, hence, an increased reserve capillary blood flow (p < 0.05).Analysis of the obtained results indicates prospects and effectiveness of using fetal liver cells transplantation in the patients who are not liable for surgical reconstruction of the vascular bed.