title: New type of artificial liver support system (ALSS) using the photocatalytic effect of titanium oxide.
abstract: Although various types of artificial liver support systems (ALSSs) including a hybrid type have been made, few are practical ALSSs for treatment of acute and/or chronic hepatic failure. Titanium oxide (TiO(2)), a stable material, dismantles various materials using a photocatalytic action under ultraviolet irradiation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a new ALSS using TiO(2). Hepatic failure plasma obtained from patients undergoing plasma exchange therapy due to acute liver failure was used in these experiments. The plasma was perfused using a closed circuit model with a column filled with TiO(2). The plasma concentrations of total bilirubin, albumin, fibrinogen, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were serially measured. We evaluated the photocatalytic effect of TiO(2) irradiated with ultraviolet light. The effect of initial perfusion with fresh-frozen plasma (FFP) was also investigated, focusing on the decrease in fibrinogen during perfusion. Levels of total bilirubin decreased after perfusion using the column filled with TiO(2), compared with no UV irradiation. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 decreased after perfusion using the TiO(2) device. The albumin level was maintained at the initial level, however, the fibrinogen level decreased within 4 hr. Initial perfusion of the circuit with FFP improved the decrease in fibrinogen for up to 8 hr. Our new perfusion device using the photocatalytic action of TiO(2) may be a promising ALSS.
authors: Department of Digestive and Pediatric Surgery, Institute of Health Biosciences, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima City, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.
authors: Hisamitsu
authors: H
authors: Shinohara
authors: Mitsuo
authors: M
authors: Shimada
authors: Tetsuya
authors: T
authors: Ikemoto
authors: Yuji
authors: Y
authors: Morine
authors: Satoru
authors: S
authors: Imura
authors: Masahiko
authors: M
authors: Fujii
authors: Takahumi
authors: T
authors: Imaizumi
authors: Michio
authors: M
authors: Murayama
authors: Yoshiro
authors: Y
authors: Aiba
mesh_terms: D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004867:Equipment Design; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D019164:Liver, Artificial; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000379:methods*; D014025:Titanium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C009495:titanium dioxide; D005340:Fibrinogen; D014025:Titanium