Encapsulation of rat hepatocyte spheroids for the development of artificial liver

Hepatocyte spheroids and hepatocyte were immobilized in chitosan/alginate c apsules formed by the electrostatic interactions between chitosan and algin ate. After encapsulation, there was a 10% decrease in the viability of sphe roids due to the exposure of the cells to a pH 6 during the encapsulation p rocess. However, the encapsulated hepatocyte spheroids maintained over 50% viability and liver specific functions for 2 weeks while the encapsulated h epatocytes, free hepatocytes and free hepatocyte spheroids showed low viabi lity and liver specific functions. Therefore, encapsulated hepatocyte spher oid might be applied to the development of a bioartificial liver.