Abstract
We prepared hollow fiber modules with 3.5×108 rabbit hepatocytes entrapped in collagen gel. This number approximately equal to 4% of the total number of hepatocytes in a 3kg rabbit. Extracorporeal hemoperfusion with two modules with hepatocytes directly connected was performed to evaluate the efficacy of 8% of the number of hepatocytes in anhepatic rabbit models. Serum ammonia levels were decreased and prolongation of PT was unproved by extracorporeal hemoperfusion. The increase in lactic acid and decrease in Fisher ratio and hepaplastin test were significantly inhibited at 5hr after initiation of extracorporeal hemoperfusion with 8% of the normal number of hepatocytes. PT and serum ammonia with 8% hepatocytes were better than those with 4% hepatocytes. These results show that the degree of efficacy depended on the number of hepatocytes included. On histological examination, no pathological changes were noted in kidney or lung and hepatocytes still appeared viable after extracorporeal hemoperfusion for 5hrs. In these results, extracorporeal hemoperfusion using 8% of the number of hepatocytes was safe, and effectively supported liver function in anhepatic models. This study provided evidence that our HAL system may in the future be clinically useful in supporting liver function by extracorporeal hemoperfusion.
