Objective  To evaluate the applicability of suckling porcine hepatocytes to the bioartificial liver in cellular quantity and function.   Methods  The isolated porcine hepatocytes were cultivated by RPMI1640 medium at 37 ℃in vitro. The characteristics of the proliferating and growing suckling porcine hepatocytes were observed. Their synthesis of albumin and urea was detected. Their clearance of ammonia and activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronyl transferases (UGT) were analyzed.   Results  The growth curve of suckling porcine hepatocytes showed an obvious exponential phase of cell growth and stationary phase. There was n

o marked stage of latency in the growth curve. Seven-fold proliferation of suckling porcine hepatocytes were found in the cultivation period of 7 days. The functional capacity of hepatocytes (10

6

cells) was above 130 ng/h and 150 μmol/h for albumin and urea excretion

respectively. The clearance of ammonia and the activities of UGT significantly decreased at culture days 1 and 3 (P0.05)

and maintained stably later. The activities of CYP decreased continuously duiring 7day culture.   Conclusion  The suckling porcine hepatocytes have good proliferation abilities and biotransformation function

which could provide a great quantity and high activity of hepatocytes for bioartificial liver.