Abstract: Objective To compare the adsorption of bilirubin, bile acids and blood ammonia in plasma samples from hepatic failure patients by different adsorbents. Methods We collected plasma samples from 4 hepatic failure patients, and divided each sample into 6 parts for 6 adsorbents: HA330 macroporous resin (HA330), activated charcoal encapsulated with HSA (activated charcoal + HSA), AB-8 macroporous resin (AB-8), AB-8 macroporous with hydroxy and diamine arms and coating with HAS (treated AB-8+HSA), ethyl cellulose coating with HAS (EC+HSA) and ethyl cellulose with hydroxy and diamine arms encapsulated with HAS (treated EC+HSA). We then observed the adsorption of bilirubin, bile acids and blood ammonia in the plasma samples passed through the adsorbents. Results The adsorbents effectively adsorbed bilirubin and bile acids in the plasma samples (P＜0.05) except the adsorbent EC+HAS. Among the adsorbents we used, treated EC+HAS had the highest efficiency of bilirubin adsorption (10.82 ± 1.24), and activated charcoal + HSA showed the best ability to adsorb bile acids (9.85 ± 1.50). All of the 6 adsorbents adsorbed blood ammonia (P＜0.05) with the highest capability using treated EC+HSA (33.83±2.51). Conclusion Treated EC+HSA is the best adsorbent for the adsorption of bilirubin, bile acids and blood ammonia.

Key words: Plasma adsorption, Hepatic failure