Original Articles
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1999. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 15, 1999; 5(2): 135-137
Published online Apr 15, 1999. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v5.i2.135
Experimental study of bioartificial liver with cultured human liver cells
Ying-Jie Wang, Meng-Dong Li, Yu-Ming Wang, Qing-He Nie, Guo-Zheng Chen
Ying-Jie Wang, Meng-Dong Li, Yu-Ming Wang, Qing-He Nie, Guo-Zheng Chen, Clinical Center of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Milita ry Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Ying-Jie Wang, associate professor of the Center of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, born on October 3, 1960, graduated and obtained a bachelor degree from Yanan University in 1985, and M.D. from Third Military Medical University in 1997. Specialized in the study of hepatic failure and severe hepatitis, having 65 papers published.
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the national key project fund of the “9th Five Year Plan”, No.96-920-12-02.
Correspondence to: Dr. Ying-Jie Wang, Center of Infectious Diseases, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
Telephone: +86-23-68754217
Received: December 24, 1998
Revised: January 20, 1999
Accepted: January 28, 1999
Published online: April 15, 1999
Abstract

AIM To establish an extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system (EBLSS) using cultured human liver cells and to study its support effect for fulminant hepatic failure (FHF).

METHODS The liver support experiment of EBLSS consisting of aggregates cultured human liver cells, hollow fiber bioreactor, and circulation unit was carried out in dizhepatic dogs.

RESULTS The viability of isolated hepatocytes and nonparenchymal liver cells reached 96%. These cells were successfully cultured as multicellular spheroids with synthetic technique. The typical morphological appearance was retained up to the end of the artificial liver experiment. Compared with the control dogs treated with EBLSS without liver cells, the survival time of artificial liver support dogs was significantly prolonged. The changes of blood pressure, heart rate and ECG were slow. Both serum ammonia and lactate levels were significantly lowered at the 3rdh and 5thh. In addition, a good viability of human liver cells was noted after 5h experiment.

CONCLUSION EBLSS playing a metabolic role of cultured human hepatocytes, is capable of compensating the function of the liver, and could provide effective artificial liver support and therapy for patients with FHF.

Keywords: artificial liver; cell, cultured; hepatocytes; fulminant hepatic failure; animal model; liver support