Artificial liver device - Research Paper Example

Although the results were promising, in depth research is still needed to reconcile regulatory standards with the processes employed in using ALDs; as well as to determine other sources of cell line, and other methods for prolonging cell line viability. Introduction The liver is the largest organ in the body. It has a myriad of functions: storage of glycogen; synthesis of glucose from fat and protein stores; detoxification of blood; protein synthesis; bile production to aid fat digestion; excretion of end products of protein metabolism; synthesis, breakdown and regulation of hormones; and antibody production among others.

All these work together to maintain homeostasis, and enable the different body systems to function optimally. Chronic liver disease (e.g. cirrhosis) is the seventh leading cause of death in the US; with approximately 27,000 people dying from it annually (“Liver Disease: Statistics” n.pag.; “Liver Disease Statistics” n.pag.). According to the Center for Disease Control, about 112,000 people discharged from in-patient care are diagnosed with liver diseases (“Chronic Liver Disease or Cirrhosis” n.pag.). . It can cause symptoms such as edema and jaundice; as well as accumulation of metabolic waste products, such as urea, eventually poisoning the different organs especially the brain.

According to Pareja et al., “the most effective treatment [for].patients [with chronic liver failure] are orthotropic liver transplantation.” (n.pag.). However, donor liver is of limited supply; and may take weeks, months or even years, before a viable organ donor is available. In a survey conducted by the Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, approximately 17,000 people are waiting for a liver transplant in the US; with an approximate waiting time of 321 days (“Liver Transplantation Patient Guide: The Waiting List” n.pag.).

Liver failure is coupled with a high death rate in the absence of transplantation (Carpentier et al. 1690). Apart from transplantation, researchers are exploring other alternatives in treating chronic liver disease. Among these are the uses of artificial and bio-artificial liver devices that will provide transient support for failing livers. Artificial liver (AL) devices make use of machines to rid the blood or plasma of toxins and by-products of metabolism (Carpentier et al. 1690). Bio-artificial liver (BAL) devices, on the other hand, make use of cell lines housed in a bioreactor cartridge that perform the detoxification, biotransformation, excretion and synthetic function of the liver (Carpentier et al. 1690). Availability of these devices, however, has not reached the market as more studies are still being done in order to reconcile the different issues associated with its widespread use.

Method Bio-artificial liver devices provide liver assistance continuously for thirty days, enabling the patients’ liver to heal, or to