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ABSTRACT Chronic hepatitis (CH) is characterized by the replacement of hepatocytes for fibrotic tissue after injury, and treatment is not curative. Stem cell therapy has shown potential to reduce liver fibrosis. This report describes the management of a dog with CH with a mesenchymal cell-based approach. A 13-year old dog was presented with weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. She was previously diagnosed with CH. Blood analysis showed hypoalbuminemia, increased serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and anemia. Three 2.5x106 bone marrow-derived mesenchymal cells transplantations were performed. After the first transplantation, the owner reported an improvement in clinical signs. Biochemistry evidenced a reduction in ALP activity. After the second administration, serum biochemistry showed a decrease in serum ALT and ALP activities, which kept falling after the third transplantation. There was an increase in albumin and total plasmatic proteins concentration. After six months, the dog came back for control and further improvement in clinical signs, new decrease in ALT activity and a mild increase in ALP concentration was observed. Increase in total and plasmatic protein were also observed. Stem cell-based therapy may be considered a promising alternative for liver diseases. It was safe and showed efficacy in this report. |
