Volume 44, Issue 2, Pages 317-324 (February 2006) Evaluation of a bioartificial liver based on a nonwoven fabric bioreactor with porcine hepatocytes in pigs  Lan Juan Li, Wei Bo Du, Yi Min Zhang, Jun Li, Xiao Ping Pan, Jia Jia Chen, Hong Cui Cao, Yu Chen, Yue Mei Chen  Journal of Hepatology  Volume 44, Issue 2, Pages 317-324 (February 2006) DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2005.08.006 Copyright © 2005 European Association for the Study of the Liver Terms and Conditions

Fig. 1 The schematic drawing depicts the configuration of the BAL treatment. Journal of Hepatology 2006 44, 317-324DOI: (10.1016/j.jhep.2005.08.006) Copyright © 2005 European Association for the Study of the Liver Terms and Conditions

Fig. 2 The schematic drawing depicts the configuration of the NWF bioreactor. The bioreactor consists of a spirally wound, nonwoven polyester polytetrafluorethylene matrix (B) and 500 polysulfone-based hollow-fibers (C) in a plastic cartridge (A). Hepatocytes inoculate into the bioreactor via the side ports (D,E). The three-dimensional nonwoven fabric provides matrix for high density hepatocytes attachment and culture as small aggregates. Whole blood is perfused through the intralumen of hollow fibers via the side ports (F,G) for adequate oxygen supply and CO2 removal during the in vivo application. In addition, the semipermeable membrane of hollow fibers acts as exchangers and immuno-protective barriers, thereby preventing the hepatocytes from immuno-injury. The bioreactor has no oxygenation capillaries, therefore, oxygenated medium has to be used when operating the device in vitro. Journal of Hepatology 2006 44, 317-324DOI: (10.1016/j.jhep.2005.08.006) Copyright © 2005 European Association for the Study of the Liver Terms and Conditions

Fig. 3 Survival curves for the D-galactosamine induced FHF pigs in the BAL, the sham BAL and the FHF groups. Kaplan–Meier log-rank test: P<0.05, the BAL group versus the sham BAL and the FHF group. Journal of Hepatology 2006 44, 317-324DOI: (10.1016/j.jhep.2005.08.006) Copyright © 2005 European Association for the Study of the Liver Terms and Conditions

Fig. 4 Changes of parameters related liver functions in D-galactosamine induced FHF pigs during the BAL treatment. (a) Plasma ammonia levels in all groups. (Note. *P=0.01 versus both control groups by one-way ANOVA/t-test). (b) Serum glucose levels in all groups. (Note. *P<0.05 versus both control groups by one-way ANOVA/t-test). (c) Serum lactate levels in all groups. (Note. *P<0.01 versus both control by one-way ANOVA/t-test). (d) Prothrombin time changes in all groups. (Note. *P<0.05 versus the sham BAL groups by t-test). Journal of Hepatology 2006 44, 317-324DOI: (10.1016/j.jhep.2005.08.006) Copyright © 2005 European Association for the Study of the Liver Terms and Conditions