Bilirubin, a Physiological Antioxidant, Can Improve Cryopreservation of Human Hepatocytes

G. Galbiati, M. Muraca, R. R. Mitry, R. D. Hughes, S. C. Lehec, J. Puppi, F. G. Sagias, M. Caruso, G. Mieli-Vergani, A. Dhawan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The availability of cryopreserved hepatocytes is required for a more widespread use of hepatocyte transplantation, but human hepatocytes are easily damaged during freezing-thawing. Here, preincubation with unconjugated bilirubin, a physiological antioxidant, resulted in increased viability and function of hepatocytes (as determined by trypan blue exclusion, mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenases activity, urea synthesis, and cytochrome P450 1A/2) compared with cells incubated without the pigment. These findings suggest that unconjugated bilirubin may be used as cryoprotectant in clinical hepatocyte transplantation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)691 - 693
Number of pages3
JournalJournal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition
Volume50
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2010

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bilirubin, a Physiological Antioxidant, Can Improve Cryopreservation of Human Hepatocytes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this