Functional Evaluation of a Bioartificial Liver Support System Using Immobilized Hepatocyte Spheroids in a Porcine Model of Acute Liver Failure

Abstract Bioartificial livers (BAL) may offer acute liver failure (ALF) patients an opportunity for cure without liver transplantation. We evaluated the efficacy of a spheroid-based BAL system, containing aggregates of porcine hepatocytes, in a porcine model of ALF. ALF pigs were divided into three...

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Main Authors: Ji-Hyun Lee, Doo-Hoon Lee, Sanghoon Lee, Choon Hyuck David Kwon, Jae-Nam Ryu, Jeong-Kwon Noh, In Keun Jang, Hey-Jung Park, Hee-Hoon Yoon, Jung-Keug Park, Young-Jin Kim, Sung-Koo Kim, Suk-Koo Lee
Format: article
Language:EN
Published: Nature Portfolio 2017
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Online Access:https://doaj.org/article/4d3d098741bc4c8d87a80ac7af71fc95
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Summary:Abstract Bioartificial livers (BAL) may offer acute liver failure (ALF) patients an opportunity for cure without liver transplantation. We evaluated the efficacy of a spheroid-based BAL system, containing aggregates of porcine hepatocytes, in a porcine model of ALF. ALF pigs were divided into three groups. The control group consisted of treatment naïve pigs (n = 5), blank group consisted of pigs that were attached to the BAL system not containing hepatocytes for 12 hours (n = 5) and BAL group consisted of pigs that were attached to the BAL containing hepatocytes for 12 hours (n = 5). Increase in serum ammonia levels were significantly greater in the blank group (P < 0.01) and control group (P < 0.01), compared to the BAL group during the treatment period. Increase in ICP was significantly greater in the control group compared to the BAL group (P = 0.01). Survival was significantly prolonged in the BAL group compared to the blank group (P = 0.03). A BAL system with a bioreactor containing hepatocyte spheroids showed effective clearance of serum ammonia, preservation of renal function and delayed ICP increase in a porcine model of ALF.