Effect of nonbiological hepatic assist on the mitochondrial function of the liver: basic consideration

The significance of nonbiological hepatic assist (i.e., blood purification) in obstructive jaundice was considered using mitochondria (Mt) fractionated from hepatocytes. An obstructive jaundiced model was created using rats with ligated bile ducts. One, 2, and 3 weeks later, the respiratory function of the hepatic Mt were comparatively evaluated between Mt directly fractionated from liver tissue and Mt fractionated from hepatocytes obtained by Seglen's method for elimination of respiratory inhibitory factors around Mt. Of Mt from liver tissue, ATP synthesis decreased to 75% of the control at 1 and 2 weeks, and to 58% 3 weeks after ligation. In contrast, ATP synthesis was 97, 88, and 87% of the control at 1, 2, and 3 weeks in Mt from hepatocytes. Blood purification could remove respiratory inhibitory factors within or externally in liver cells and restore the mitochondrial function of the liver in obstructive jaundice.