Encapsulated hepatocytes for controlling hyperbilirubinemia in Gunn rats.

Hepatocytes encapsulated in an alginate-polylysine-membrane were used to lower bilirubin levels in hyperbilirubinemia. The animal model was the Gunn rat. The microencapsulated hepatocytes were implanted intraperitoneally. 15 x 16(6) microencapsulated hepatocytes from Wistar rats lowered the bilirubin from 14 mg/100 ml to 6 mg/100 ml after 20 days. 15 x 10(6) microencapsulated hepatocytes from Sprague-Dawley rats lowered the bilirubin levels from 8 mg/100 ml to 5 mg/100 ml. They were as effective as free Sprague-Dawley hepatocytes. 12 x 10(6) Guinea pig hepatocytes, whether encapsulated or free, lowered the bilirubin from 9.36 mg/100 ml to 4.37 mg/100 ml.