title: Microencapsulated hepatocytes: an in vitro and in vivo study.
abstract: Using a modified alginate-polylysine membrane, we have successfully encapsulated rat hepatocytes with little loss of viability. Urea and albumin release from encapsulated liver cells was comparable to that from non-encapsulated cells during the first 4 days in culture. Histological studies also showed that more than 50% of the encapsulated hepatocytes remained viable 35 days after implantation in the peritoneal cavity of both normal rats and rats with galactosamine induced fulminant hepatic failure. Transplantation of microencapsulated hepatocytes provides a potential clinical treatment for liver failure.
authors.affiliation: University of Toronto, Department of Physiology, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: O'Shea
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000464:Alginates; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002214:Capsules; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011107:Polylysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014185:Transplantation, Isogeneic; D014508:Urea / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002214:Capsules; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C051546:alginate-polylysine-alginate; D011107:Polylysine; D014508:Urea