Objective To prepare chitosan microcarriers and to use it to cultivate rat primary hepatocytes. Methods The crosslinked chitosan microcarrier was prepared by the reaction of glutaraldehyde with chitosan. Various factors that influence the preparation were studied and the reaction conditions were optimized. Rat primary hepatocytes cultured on chitosan microcarrier were observed by using phase contrast microscope and scanning electron microscope. Results Chitosan microcarriers with good properties could be prepared by adjusting the concentration of chitosan solution and the quantity of glutaraldehyde. Rat hepatocytes cultured on chitosan microcarriers retained the spherical shape as they have in vivo. And albumin secretion can last over one week. The highest albumin secretion rate reached 26.7μg/24h/ml. Conclusion Chitosan microcarriers is a promising scaffold for hepatocyte attachment, which can be used in bioartificial liver support system.
Citation： ZHANG Li guo,PAN Ji lun,LI Jie liang,et al.. PREPARATION OF CROSSLINKED CHITOSAN MICROCARRIER AND ITS USE IN CULTURE OF PRIMARY RAT HEPATOCYTE. Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery, 2003, 17(2): 157-160. doi: Copy