Figure 1

Specific oxygen uptake rate of the alginate-encapsulated hepatocytes in BAL group (n = 5). Gas was supplied right before the reactor, comprised of 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide. Data of dissolved oxygen was measured in real-time before and after the reactor. The flow rate of plasma in the reactor was 250 ml/min. Specific oxygen uptake rate decreased slightly during the first hour of circulation then increased after 7 hours onward, signifying that the hepatocytes remained vigorous activity during the 12-hour treatment period.