Evaluation of a hybrid artificial liver using a polyurethane foam packed-bed culture system in dogs

Background and aims. We developed a polyurethane foam packed-bed culture system of hepatocyte spheroids as a hybrid artificial liver (PUF-HAL), which was effective for recovery from liver failure in rat experiments. In this report, the design of a scaled-up PUF-HAL for dogs is described and evaluated using a dog acute liver failure model. Methods. Warm ischemic liver failure was induced with a portocaval shunt in each dog. The dogs were divided into two groups: (1) a control group (N = 4), in which each dog was attached to a PUF-HAL without hepatocytes for 9 h, and (2) a HAL group (N = 5), in which each dog was attached to a PUF-HAL with hepatocytes. Blood pressure, blood ammonia, blood glucose, serum creatinine, and other parameters related to liver function were compared between the two groups. Results. In the HAL group, blood ammonia and serum creatinine levels were significantly lower, and blood pressure and blood glucose levels significantly higher, than those in the control group. Conclusions. The scaled-up PUF-HAL developed for large animals is useful as a liver support system in the dog acute liver failure model. (C) 1999 Academic Press.