Fig. 3

Forest plot of liver function. Compared with the control group (C), the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in the MSC group (M) was nonsignificantly lower at baseline, significantly lower at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24, and nonsignificantly lower at weeks 36 and 48. The albumin (ALB) level in the MSC group was significantly higher at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36, and nonsignificantly higher at week 48. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level in the MSC group was nonsignificantly lower at baseline and at weeks 8, 36, and 48, and significantly lower at weeks 2, 4, 12, and 24. The total bilirubin (TBiL) level in the MSC group was non-significantly higher at baseline, significantly lower at weeks 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24, and non-significantly lower at weeks 36 and 48. The prothrombin time (PT) in the MSC group was significantly higher at baseline, non-significantly lower at weeks 2, 4, and 8, significantly lower at weeks 12 and 24, and non-significantly lower at weeks 36 and 48. The prothrombin activity (PTA), international normalized ratio (INR), and cholinesterase (CHE) values did not differ significantly between the MSC and control groups at any time point. CI confidence interval. SMD standardized mean difference