Polymers of esters of hyaluronic acid (Hyal) exhibit good tissue compatibility and are available in various geometrical configurations. These properties can be exploited for the design of innovative bioartificial liver support devices (BALSDs) using primary hepatocytes. In this paper, we report a preliminary investigation of the feasibility of polymers of the ethyl and the benzyl ester of Hyal in the form of films and non-woven fabrics for the in vitro culture of primary rat hepatocytes. Cell function was evaluated daily in Petri dishes with respect to the rate of ammonia elimination (AER) and urea synthesis (USR). Cells cultured in non-woven fabrics of the ethyl ester of Hyal (HYAFF7nw) exhibited an initial AER about 32% lower and synthesised urea 33% faster than that of cells on collagen films. After a week in culture, cells on collagen films retained only a minor fraction of their initial rates. Cells cultured in non-woven fabrics of HYAFF7nw retained about 62% and 44% of their initial AER and USR, respectively, and exhibited an AER approximately equal to and a USR 3.6 times greater than those of cells adherent to collagen. These results suggest that non-woven fabrics of HYAFF7nw are promising substrata for hepatocyte culture in BALSDs.
Morphology and metabolism of hepatocytes cultured in Petri dishes, on films and in non-woven fabrics of hyaluronic acid esters
De BartoloL;Ambrosio L
2001
Abstract
Polymers of esters of hyaluronic acid (Hyal) exhibit good tissue compatibility and are available in various geometrical configurations. These properties can be exploited for the design of innovative bioartificial liver support devices (BALSDs) using primary hepatocytes. In this paper, we report a preliminary investigation of the feasibility of polymers of the ethyl and the benzyl ester of Hyal in the form of films and non-woven fabrics for the in vitro culture of primary rat hepatocytes. Cell function was evaluated daily in Petri dishes with respect to the rate of ammonia elimination (AER) and urea synthesis (USR). Cells cultured in non-woven fabrics of the ethyl ester of Hyal (HYAFF7nw) exhibited an initial AER about 32% lower and synthesised urea 33% faster than that of cells on collagen films. After a week in culture, cells on collagen films retained only a minor fraction of their initial rates. Cells cultured in non-woven fabrics of HYAFF7nw retained about 62% and 44% of their initial AER and USR, respectively, and exhibited an AER approximately equal to and a USR 3.6 times greater than those of cells adherent to collagen. These results suggest that non-woven fabrics of HYAFF7nw are promising substrata for hepatocyte culture in BALSDs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
