[Clinical observation of recombinant growth hormone therapy for liver cirrhosis with hypoproteinemia].

Objective: To assess the effect of recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) therapy for liver cirrhosis patients with hypoproteinemia.

Methods: Fifteen patients with liver cirrhosis were treated with rhGH (4 U per day) for 7 days and 15 controls were given human albumin (10 g) for every other day (altogether 3 times). Albumin was measured one day before the treatment, and on day 1, 10, 14, and 28 after the treatment.

Results: After 7 days of rhGH administration, the albumin level of the patients was significantly higher and the function lasted longer than those of patients treated with human albumin (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Exogenous rhGH in treating hypoproteinemia in patients with liver cirrhosis is more effective than human albumin.