TREATMENT OF TOTAL HEPATECTOMIZED DOG BY A NEW HYBRID ARTIFICIAL LIVER USING PRIMARY CULTURED ADULT DOG HEPATOCYTES

Abstract

A new hybrid artificial liver using primary cultured beagle hepatocytes attached to glass plates was deviced. Cultured cells attached to the plates were placed in a transparent acrylic module. Total number of cells were approximately 6×109 (70-80g). The functions of the module were evaluated on unhepatic dogs. Mean survival time of treated group (53.3hrs) was extremely prolonged than that of nontreated control (21.5hrs). APTT activity, serum albumin and NH₃ levels revealed satisfactory condition in the treated group. This new hybrid artificial liver may pilot for the complete artificial liver.