Translational Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Cirrhosis via Treatment with Nucleotide Analogues

Objective: To observe the clinical effects of different courses of HBV Negative Conversion Powder in the treatment of patients with Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver cirrhosis via treatment with nucleotide analogues, as so to provide guidance for standardized use of this drug. Methods: A total of 172 patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis who showed HBV DNA negative conversion via treatment with nucleotide analogues were enrolled and randomly divided into four groups (groups A, B, C and D, 43 cases in each group). Patients in four groups were treated with original nucleotide analogues, based on which, group A was added with HBV Negative Conversion Powder for 12 months, group B with HBV Negative Conversion Powder for 9 months, group C with HBV Negative Conversion Powder for 6 months, but group D without HBV Negative Conversion Powder. The total courses of treatment were 12 months for all groups. Results: The liver function, four indexes of liver fibrosis, the condition of abdominal ultrasonogram and liver stiffness in groups A, B and C were significantly improved when compared with group D treated with original nucleoside analog alone (P<0.05), and the therapeutic effect was best in group A (P<0.01). Additionally, the HBeAg negative conversion rate of groups A and B were higher than that of group D, and the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Chinese herba preparation HBV Negative Conversion Powder, when combined with original nucleoside analogs, can improve the liver function and liver fibrosis, and inhibit the replication of HBV and improve the HBeAg negative conversion rate of patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis who were treated with nucleotide analogues. Moreover, the use of HBV Negative Conversion Powder for 12 months shows the best clinical therapeutic effects. This study promotes the transformation of scientific research achievements and provides a basis for guiding the standardized use of this preparation.