PRIMARY CULTURE OF RAT HEPATOCYTES ENTRAPPED IN CYLINDRICAL COLLAGEN GELS - AN INVITRO SYSTEM WITH APPLICATION TO THE BIOARTIFICIAL LIVER -RAT HEPATOCYTES CULTURED IN CYLINDRICAL COLLAGEN GELS

A static culture model employing cylindrical collagen-hepatocyte gels is reported for large scale testing of conditions relevant to the thre e compartment hollow fiber bioartificial liver. High density hepatocyt e cultivation was achieved by cell entrapment within the collagen-hepa tocyte gel. Hepatocyte viability was assessed by vital staining, gel c ontraction, and insulin utilization. Measures of hepatocyte-specific f unction included albumin synthesis, ureagenesis, lidocaine biotransfor mation, and cholate conjugation. Although hepatocyte viability remaine d stable through the seven day incubation period, hepatocyte functions were not uniformly preserved. Albumin synthesis remained stable, whil e representative P-450 and conjugation activities decreased with time. This static culture system will facilitate the development of a hollo w fiber bioartificial liver which utilizes cylindrical collagen-hepato cyte gels.