The Application of Immobilized Enzymes in an Artificial Liver Support System |
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Authors: | Gorig Brunner,C. J. Holloway,and H. Lö sgen |
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Affiliation: | Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medizinrsche Hochschule Hannouer, Oststadtkranken-haus, Podbielskistr. 380, 3000 Hannouer, Federal Republic of Germany |
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Abstract: | A novel method of extracorporeal support for fulminant liver failure is reported whereby the most important detoxification processes of the liver are reproduced in an enzyme reactor. Most of the endogenous toxins involved in hepatic coma can be deactivated directly by conjugation with a hydrophilic residue such as glucuronic acid or glutathione, or by the neutralization of active groups through structural modification by methyl transfer. The enzymes responsible for these processes have been isolated and purified from rabbit liver, and covalently bound onto a hemocompatible form of agarose matrix. This system has been shown to be capable of catalyzing the desired reactions with endogenous toxins such as phenols and mercaptans in vitro, and phenols in rabbits in vivo. |
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Keywords: | artificial liver support hemoperfusion detoxification UDP-glucuronyltransferase immobilized enzymes |
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