Abstract: Objective To evaluate the changes of cytokines before and after plasma exchange (PE) plus continuous hemofiltration (CHE) therapy (artificial liver therapy) for large animal model of acute hepatic failure induced by D-galactosamine. Methods Furty-eight pigs were divided into two groups at random: Control group (n=13) and treatment group (n=15). All of the animals were induced fulminant hepatic failure with administration of D-galactosamine firstly. 48 hours later the treatment group was treated with PE combined with CHF for 12 hours. Efficacy was assessed by comparing the survival time, biochemical parameters and cytokines. Results The treatment group's mean survival time was (128.7±11.3) hours, which was much longer than that in the control group(67.9±9.4) hours(t =15.9, P＜0.01). There were significant differences for serum cytokines of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleulin-8 (IL-8) and IL-6 between the two groups at the same time(t =1.9～4.7, P ＜0.05). Conclusion Combined non bioartificial liver（PE plus CHF）was effective for acute hepatic failure, and may be as a good bridge therapy for liver transplantation and other treatments.

Key words: Animal model, Cytokine, Artificial live