Functional evaluation of a new bioartificial liver system in vitro and in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the functions of a new bioartificial liver (BAL) system in vitro and in vitro.


METHODS
The BAL system was configured by inoculating porcine hepatocyte spheroids into the cell circuit of a hollow fiber bioreactor. In the experiments of BAL in vitro, the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TB), and albumin (ALB) in the circulating hepatocyte suspension and RPMI-1640 medium were determined during 6 h of circulation in the BAL device. In the experiments of BAL in vitro, acute liver failure (ALF) model in canine was induced by an end-side portocaval shunt combined with common bile duct ligation and transaction. Blood ALT, TB and ammonia levels of ALF in canines were determined before and after BAL treatment.


RESULTS
During 6 h of circulation in vitro, there was no significant change of ALT, whereas the TB and ALB levels gradually increased with time both in the hepatocyte suspension and in RPMI-1640 medium. In the BAL treatment group, blood ALT, TB and ammonia levels of ALF in canines decreased significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
The new BAL system has the ability to perform liver functions and can be used to treat ALF.
Chen
Zhong
Z
Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China. chenz_surg@sina.com.cn
Ding
Yi-Tao
YT
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D000641:Ammonia / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D019149:Bioreactors; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D019164:Liver, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature
D000418:Albumins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000641:Ammonia; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin