The bio-artificial organ: review and progress report.
A definition and a review is given for the bioartificial organ. In addition new developments are reported with the successful lyophilization of enzyme filled RCG with cryoprotective polyethylene glycol (PEG). The successful use of an enzyme reactor consisting of crosslinked fibrin with asparaginase covalently attached is reported in sheep. The small organ (0.4 m2) removes 70% of the animal's asparagine in 6 hours. No enzyme leakage down to 10(-5) units per ml. plasma could be found. The highly preserved substrate affinity of insolubilized asparaginase as well as its high activity and stability when bound to fibrin are additional outstanding features of this system.
D000818:Animals; D001187:Artificial Organs; D001215:Asparaginase / Q000032:analysis; D001216:Asparagine / Q000378:metabolism; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane; D004912:Erythrocytes; D005337:Fibrin; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011108:Polymers; D012756:Sheep
D011108:Polymers; D001216:Asparagine; D005337:Fibrin; D001215:Asparaginase