title: Evaluation of a novel hybrid bioartificial liver based on a multi-layer flat-plate bioreactor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a hybrid bioartificial liver (HBAL) system in the treatment of acute liver failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Canine models with acute liver failure were introduced with intravenous administration of D-galactosamine. The animals were divided into: the HBAL treatment group (n = 8), in which the canines received a 3-h treatment of HBAL; the bioartificial liver (BAL) treatment group (n = 8), in which the canines received a 3-h treatment of BAL; the non-bioartificial liver (NBAL) treatment group (n = 8), in which the canines received a 3-h treatment of NBAL; the control group (n = 8), in which the canines received no additional treatment. Biochemical parameters and survival time were determined. Levels of xenoantibodies, RNA of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) and reverse transcriptase (RT) activity in the plasma were detected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Biochemical parameters were significantly decreased in all treatment groups. The TBIL level in the HBAL group was lower than that in other groups (2.19 ± 0.55 μmol/L vs 24.2 ± 6.45 μmol/L, 12.47 ± 3.62 μmol/L, 3.77 ± 1.83 μmol/L, P < 0.05). The prothrombin time (PT) in the BAL and HBAL groups was significantly shorter than the NBAL and control groups (18.47 ± 4.41 s, 15.5 ± 1.56 s vs 28.67 ± 5.71 s, 21.71 ± 3.4 s, P < 0.05), and the PT in the HBAL group was shortest of all the groups. The albumin in the BAL and HBAL groups significantly increased and a significantly higher level was observed in the HBAL group compared with the BAL group (27.7 ± 1.7 g/L vs 25.24 ± 1.93 g/L). In the HBAL group, the ammonia levels significantly decreased from 54.37 ± 6.86 to 37.75 ± 6.09 after treatment (P < 0.05); there were significant difference in ammonia levels between other the groups (P < 0.05). The levels of antibodies were similar before and after treatment. The PERV RNA and the RT activity in the canine plasma were all negative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HBAL showed great efﬁciency and safety in the treatment of acute liver failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Jiangsu Province's Key Medical Center for Hepatobiliary Disease, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu Province, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Lei
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xue-Hui
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Jin-Yang
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Jiang-Qiang
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Jia-Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Zhong-Ze
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Hao-Zhen
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Xian-Wen
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Yi-Tao
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Ding
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile / Q000737:chemistry; D019149:Bioreactors; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004285:Dogs; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000378:metabolism; D005688:Galactosamine / Q000378:metabolism; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000628:therapy*; D019164:Liver, Artificial; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000910:Antibodies, Heterophile; D012313:RNA; D005688:Galactosamine; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase