Microencapsulated hepatocytes and islets as in vivo bioartificial liver support system.
OBJECTIVE
To confirm the xenotransplantation of microencapsulated hepatocytes and islets as a temporary bioartificial liver support system for mice with acute liver failure (ALF).


METHODS
Mice were rendered ALF by a single intra-peritoneal injection of D-galactosamine (D-gal) and their tail blood was sampled to examine differences in blood ALT, albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB) and glucose (GLU) between 4 experimental groups. Rat hepatocytes and islets were collected and microencapsulated referring to both Sun's and Fritschy's methods. Mice were grouped into control group (CG), free hepatocyte group (FHG), microencapsulated hepatocyte group (MHG) and microencapsulated hepatocyte plus islet group (HIG). Tissue samples were subjected to microscopic and electron microscopic (EM) examinations.


RESULTS
The highest survival was observed in HIG, surprisingly at 100%(16/16), while the lowest was in CG at 12.5%(2/16), with inter-group statistical difference P<0.05. ALT levels revealed no statistical difference between groups but the ALB level of HIG descended by the slightest margin (q=(0.54, 0.24, 1.33), P<0.05) at the time when it reached the lowest point in all groups. TB of HIG returned to normal reference range (NRR) statistically sooner than that of others after a fierce elevation. No statistical inter-group difference was observed in GLU levels. Fusion between hepatocytes and beta cells was demonstrated giving rise to theoretical assumptions.


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatocytes to be microencapsulated together with islets should be a preferred in vivo hepatic functional supporting system, which can dramatically prolong survival and improve living status.
Gao
Yue
Y
Department of General Surgery, First Clinical Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang Province, China. gaoyueee@163.com
Xu
Jun
J
Sun
Bei
B
Jiang
Hong-Chi
HC
D000818:Animals; D021522:Bioartificial Organs; D002214:Capsules; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000737:chemistry; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000637:transplantation*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D002214:Capsules; D005688:Galactosamine