Efficacy of nonwoven fabric bioreactor immobilized with porcine hepatocytes for ex vivo xenogeneic perfusion treatment of liver failure in dogs

We have developed a new bioartificial liver bioreactor filled with porcine hepatocytes immobilized on polyester nonwoven fabric (NWF). In this study, we investigated the efficacy of our hybrid bioartificial liver system incor porating the NWF bioreactors and an immunoglobulin adsorbent column for per fusion treatment in a canine liver failure model. Xenogeneic perfusion trea tment for operative canine liver failure models were performed for 3 h, and survival time, intracranial pressure, and blood and cerebrospinal fluid da ta were documented. Treatment was carried out without obstruction by immuno logical rejection when immunoglobulin adsorbent columns were used with the NWF bioreactors in combination. Dogs treated with this system exhibited a r estricted increase of intracranial pressure and significant compensatory ef fects on blood and cerebrospinal amino acid imbalances as shown by a signif icant improvement of Fischer's ratio. On the other hand, relatively low cap acity for ammonia elimination was shown as compared with homologous direct hemoperfusion.