Supporting effects of porcine cell-based hybrid bioartificial liver on patients with gravis hepatitis

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects of hybrid bioartificial liver (HBL) on patients with acute and sub-acute liver failure. MethodsFive patients with liver failure including 3 acute and 2 sub-acute were treated with HBL consisting of plasma exchange and porcine hepatocytes-based bioartificial liver. The clinical signs and symptoms, total serum bilirubin (TBIL), ammonia, endotoxin and prothrombin activity (PTA), cholinesterase (CHE) were recorded or detected before, during and after the treatment. ResultsThree patients with hepatic coma were improved in level of encephalopathy. PTA and CHE were significantly increased while the serum TBIL and endotoxin decreased in all the patients (P0.01). Two patients were bridged for spontaneous recovery and 1 for OLT successfully. The left 2 died on the 8th and 21st day after the treatment. During treatment, there were no severe complications such as hemorrhage and allergic reaction etc. ConclusionsHBL may be an effective method to treat patients with acute and sub-acute liver failure. Meanwhile, it can be used as an effective sign to determine whether the liver can recover spontaneously.