Observations during Long-Term Plasma Exchange in Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

Abstract

Plasma exchange was performed weekly during 6 months in two patients with symptomatic primary biliary cirrhosis. At the end of the treatment period improvement of liver demethylating capacity was noted, along with reduced C3 activation and a decrease in serum concentrations of IgM and procollagen III aminopeptide. Serum concentrations of aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatases, and anti-mitochondrial antibodies were not affected. These data suggest that long-term plasma exchange may improve liver function and possibly retard the progression of fibrosis in primary biliary cirrhosis.

Key Words:

• Complement activation
• IgM
• plasma exchange
• primary biliary cirrhosis