Effect of extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system on fulminant hepatic failure rabbits

AIM:To evaluate the possibility of using cultured human hepatocytes as a bridge between bioartificial liver and liver transplantation.METHODS:In this experiment,the efficacy of extracorporeal bioartificial liver support system (EBLSS) consisting of spheriodal human liver cells and cultured hepatocytes supernatant was assessed in vivo using galactosamine induced rabbit model of fulminant hepatic failure.RESULTS:There was no difference of survival between the two groups of rabbits, but in the supported rabbits serum alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin and creatinine were significantly lower and hepatocyte necrosis was markedly milder than those in control animals. In addition, a good viability of human liver cells was noted after the experiment.CONCLUSION:EBLSS plays a biologic role in maintaining and compensating the function of the liver.