Hybrid bioartificial liver support in cynomolgus monkeys with D-galactosamine-induced acute liver failure

AIM: To evaluate a hybrid bioartificial liver support system (HBALSS) in cynomolgus monkeys with acute liver failure. METHODS: To establish a model of acute liver failure, 0.3 g/kg of D-galactosamine was injected intravenously into cynomolgus monkeys. Chinese human liver cells were introduced into a perfusion bioreactor to carry out hybrid bioartificial liver support treatment. Forty-eight hours after the injection, one group of cynomolgus monkeys received HBALSS care, and a second experi-mental group received no treatment. Clinical manifestations of all animals, survival time, liver and kidney functions and serum biochemistry changes were recorded. Simultaneous detection of the number, viability and function of hepatocytes in the hybrid bioartificial liver were also performed. RESULTS: Forty-eight hours after the injection of D-galactosamine, serum biochemistry levels were significantly increased, whereas albumin levels and the Fischer index were significantly reduced compared to baseline (all Ps < 0.05). Of the ten monkeys in the HBALSS treatment group, five survived, with an average duration of survival of 128 +/- 3 h. All cynomolgus monkeys in the control group died, with a duration of survival of 112 +/- 2 h. Survival time was significantly longer with HBALSS treatment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the number, viability and function of hepatocytes were maintained at a high level with HBALSS. CONCLUSION: The novel hybrid bioartificial liver plays a significant role in liver support by significantly reducing serum biochemistry levels and extending animal survival time. (C) 2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.