Open AccessFunctional Evaluation of a Bioartificial Liver Support System Using Immobilized Hepatocyte Spheroids in a Porcine Model of Acute Liver Failure
Author(s) -
JiHyun 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,
YoungJin Kim,
Sung-Koo Kim,
Suk-Koo Lee
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/s41598-017-03424-2
Subject(s) - bioartificial liver device , hepatocyte , liver failure , spheroid , medicine , liver transplantation , transplantation , andrology , chemistry , biochemistry , in vitro
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.