Novel method to remove bilirubin from the blood of jaundiced rats: a preliminary study

Abstract BACKGROUNDThe removal of bilirubin from serum is the primary method for treating hyperbilirubinemia. However, currently used treatment methods have several limitations. This study was designed to introduce a novel method to remove bilirubin from the blood of jaundiced rats.METHODSThis novel therapy involved cross-circulation of blood between a rat liver preserved in vitro and a rat with hyperbilirubinemia. All model animals were randomly divided into two groups based on whether they received the novel therapy. Serum samples were collected at different time points. The levels of serum transaminase and bilirubin were detected and compared between different groups. Long-term survival was compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis between different groups.RESULTSAcross different hyperbilirubinemia models, serum total bilirubin level was significantly improved (24.8 ± 1.2 vs. 17.4 ± 1.2 µmol/L, P < 0.05), despite a rise serum transaminase levels after treatment (AST: 4612 ± 382 vs. 5144 ± 390 U/L, P>0.05; ALT: 5051 ± 722 vs. 5488 ± 707 U/L, P<0.05). No necrosis was found in the preserved liver tissue after treatment. This novel treatment significantly raised the long-term survival rates of jaundiced rats (P < 0.05).CONCLUSIONThis novel method could safely and effectively help eliminate bilirubin from the blood of jaundiced rats.