Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To introduce the basic functions, working conditions and requirements of bioreactor, additional, to discuss the research process of bioreactor.
METHODS: PubMed database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.) and CNKI database (www.cnki.net/index.htm) were retrieved by the first author with search terms of “bioartificial liver, bioreactor, membrane material” both in English and Chinese. The time was limited between January 1994 and August 2009. Inclusion criteria: ①literatures closely linked to the article; ②papers published in more authoritative journals in recent years. ③the contents of old or duplicate documents were excluded.
RESULTS: Totally 150 documents were seized by primary screen, 88 irrelative papers and 32 duplicate documents were excluded, finally, 30 literature entered further analysis. Bioartificial liver system has become an effective in vitro supportive treatment for hepatic failure patients. Bioreactor is an important ingredient of bioartificial liver, which provided a platform for the hepatocytes growth metabolism, substances exchange and immune isolation. The main cellulose semipermeable bioreactor comprises flat membrane bioreactor and hollow fiber bioreactor, and the main types of semipermeable membranes contain mixed cellulose ester membrane, cellulose acetate membrane, cuprophan membrane, PVDF membrane, as well as poly(ethylene terephthalate) membrane.
CONCLUSION: As a dynamic system, the optimal of control system in bioreactor is conductive to regulating mass transfer and establishing bionic physical or chemical gradients, which can implement the construction of hepatocyte with smallest unit. The selection of membrane is the key link in bioreactor construction of bioartificial liver system