Artificial biological liver

Scottish scientists are developing and perfecting ' biological artificial liver ' to help patients stay alive while waiting for liver recovery or liver transplantation. The study was conducted under the guidance of Dr. John Gaylor, of the Department of Biological Engineering at Strathclyde University, Scotland.

The team created 'bioartificial liver' (bioartificial liver) by using living cells of the liver placed in a specially constructed device. This system has the ability to filter blood and perform the functions of natural liver.

In mouse testing, living cells from rat liver were kept in plates placed in biological artificial liver. Inside the plates are covered with a special layer of protein mixture that helps liver cells adhere to it and continues to grow.

This study is very positive because there is no similar method applied to liver patients (Photo: Ian Rutherford / Scotsman)

When blood is pumped into the biological artificial liver, these living cells eliminate harmful agents in the blood in a manner similar to normal liver activity. And when blood is mixed with toxic substances that are normally in the blood of mice with liver disease, all these toxins are also excluded.

Gaylor and colleagues are looking for ways to help these living cells work best.

In humans, blood is transmitted directly from the patient to the biological artificial liver, whereby the liver is rested because it does not have to treat blood, enabling the liver to have time to heal itself. Depending on the situation, this therapy may be maintained for weeks or months so that the liver can overcome the lesions.

Experts believe that artificial liver - acting outside the body in a manner similar to artificial kidneys - can help the liver to ' rest ' and repair damage itself in acute liver disease, such as Cirrhosis, or in the case of paracetamol overdose. With this artificial liver, patients who are in dangerous conditions such as chronic liver failure will have more valuable time to sustain life while waiting for a liver transplant.

Dr Gaylor said liver patients could be treated this way for another 10 years if his team had additional funding for research.

According to health experts, this biological artificial liver will be of great benefit because most patients do not know they are suffering from liver disease, and when it is discovered it is often too late for the liver to recover dress.

Quang Thinh