Hepatocytes were isolated from adult rat liver by perfusing with collagenase. Isolated hepatocytes were entrapped within various materials and entrapped hepatocytes were examined on abilities of ammonia removal and urea synthesis. Collagen, fibrin, Ca-alginate, K-carrageenan, agar, low gelling point agarose, urethanprepolymer (PU-3, PU-6), and photopolymerizing resin (ENT-4000) were used for entrapping materials. Hepatocytes entrapped within collagen, fibrin, and Ca-alginate showed high

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... es of ammonia removal and urea synthesis. Among these three materials, Ca-alginate was chosen as the best material for entrapment, since it can be gelled under very gentle conditions and resulting gel has good intensity. Besides ammonia removal and urea synthesis, hepatocytes entrapped within Ca-alginate could remove indole and phenol, synthesize the corresponding conjugants, and remove short chain fatty acids. The entrapped hepatocytes maintained these abilities of detoxication during seven days. These results suggest that hepatocytes entrapped within Ca-alginate could be applied to a biological artificial liver support.