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Artificial Liver Support Based on Artificial Cells with Emphasis on Encapsulated Hepatocytes
Author(s) -
Chang T.M.S.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
artificial organs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.684
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1525-1594
pISSN - 0160-564X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1594.1992.tb00270.x
Subject(s) - fulminant hepatic failure , biocompatibility , hepatocyte , artificial liver , chemistry , bilirubin , biocompatible material , biochemistry , cell encapsulation , detoxification (alternative medicine) , liver failure , cell , microbiology and biotechnology , transplantation , biology , liver transplantation , medicine , endocrinology , biomedical engineering , pathology , in vitro , organic chemistry , alternative medicine
Artificial liver support requires more than a detoxification system. We have investigated additional approaches. Microencapsulated hepatocytes increased the survival time of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) rats. They also lowered the bilirubin in Gunn rats. Xenograft of microencapsulated rat hepatocytes into mice are immunoisolated. The viability of hepatocyte increased from 62 to 100% after 29 days. This is because of accumulation of a hepatic stimulatory factor (> 100,000 D) secreted by the hepatocytes in the artificial cells. A novel two‐step method of cell encapsulation greatly improved immu‐noisolation and biocompatibility. Other metabolic approaches included a multienzyme system for conversion of ammonia to essential amino acid, and removal of bilirubin.