Abstract:
Introduction. The artificial liver support system (ALSS) is a therapeutic approach and an important
direction in biomedical research, involving the use of an external device to replace or support liver
functions in patients with acute or chronic liver failure who require liver transplantation. This study
aims to review and synthesize current technologies and research directions in the development of
artificial liver systems that sustain the lives of patients with acute and chronic liver failure.
Material and methods. A review of 32 bibliographic sources from the specialized literature published
over the past 10 years was conducted using the databases Google Scholar, PubMed, National Institutes
of Health (NIH), BioMed Central (BMC), SpringerLink, and ScienceDirect, focusing on technologies
and research directions in artificial liver systems.
Results. There are three main categories of ALSS: 1.) non-biological artificial liver (NBAL) –
hemoperfusion, plasmapheresis, MARS, Prometheus, SPAD, SEPET, that operate on the principles of
dialysis and adsorption. 2.) bioartificial liver (BAL) - ELAD, HepaCure-BAL, AMC-BAL, that
integrate hepatocytes (porcine, human, tumor HepG2 and its derivative C3A, immortalized, stem cells:
embryonic (ESCs), induced pluripotent (iPSCs), human mesenchymal (MSCs)) in bioreactors to
reproduce the liver's biosynthesis and detoxification functions. 3.) hybrid artificial liver (HAL) -
HepatAssist, MELS, Li-HAL, that combines efficient detoxification of NBAL with metabolic
functions of BAL.
Conclusions. Artificial liver support systems improve survival rates among patients with acute or
chronic liver failure awaiting liver transplantation and, in individuals with preserved hepatic
regenerative capacity, promote full functional recovery.
