Development of a xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion method in a bioartificial liver system

 We devised a new method of xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion of a bioartificial liver support, which consists of a leukocyte adsorbent column, an immunoglobulin adsorbent column, and a substitute unit for hepatic function. Using this method in a hybrid bioartificial liver system incorporated with a nonwoven fabric bioreactor containing porcine hepatocytes, we successfully performed xenogeneic direct hemoperfusion in a canine liver failure model for 3 h without hyperacute rejection. Adequate ammonia detoxification was exhibited, and no findings of hepatocyte destruction by leukocytes or immunological proteins were detected in the canine blood analysis. Beneficial effects were also detected in a significant increase in Fischer's ratio and a decrease in intracranial pressure, indicating that our system could contribute to recovery from hepatic coma in patients with severe liver failure. Received: April 23, 2002 / Accepted: July 16, 2002 Acknowledgments We wish to thank Mr. Nobutaka Furuya from the Institute for Animal Experimentation, University of Tokyo, for his expert technical assistance in treating experimental animals. We also wish to thank Mr. Ken Shibata from Tokyo Medical Service for his excellent technical assistance in operating the perfusion equipment. We also wish to thank Dr. Wendy Gray, MD, for her excellent work in revising our English. This study is supported financially by grants in aid for scientific research (11357010, 1999–2001, and 12309003, 2000–2002) and a grant in aid for advanced forefront medical development (2000–2002). Correspondence to:K. Naruse