2015
Organ Replacement
ANSBRO, SEAN P
Organ
Replacement
Sean Ansbro
Dear Rod Keller
Attached to this letter is the research that has been observed and collected in regards to
the liver and those who receive liver transplants, those include transplants that involve
organically grown organs created in a lab from the cells of the patient and organs that have been
created artificially from inorganic compounds or components, these include purely mechanical
components or components and polymers that have been created to simulate the effects of
organic material. I am thankful for you allowing permission for me to look into this subject.
Sincerely,
Sean Ansbro,
Abstract
The research contained in this report pertains to the medical field, more precisely the
science of biological rejection of major organs at the cell level. This is caused by the body’s
immune system, the one that receives that organ, finding the sugars on the cells of the organ
lacking the correct structures to be determined as part of the whole self. This “other” sugar
causes the correct response as the body kills the outside cells causing the organs functionality to
decline and is usually coupled with flu like symptoms and in some extreme cases, internal
hemorrhaging.
The scope of this research to find alternatives to using organs gained though donations
that are better compatible to the receiver of the organ, to work around the issue of rejection
mechanical and lab grown organs are becoming a real possibility and primitive mechanical
structures are being used in the medical field at labs and hospitals as a way to replace certain
functions in the organ and body
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Sub-part 1 – Overview………………………………………………………………….....1
Sub-part 2 – Inform about subject………………………………………………………...2
Part 1
Sub-part 1 – Introduction………………………………………………………………….2
Sub-part 2 – Bile and Digestion…………………………………………………………...3
Sub-part 3 – Metabolism…………………………………………………………………..4
Sub-part 4 – Detoxification………………………………………………………………..5
Part 2
Sub-part 1 – Rejection of Organ…………………………………………………………..6
Sub-part 2 – the Criteria…………………………………………………………………...6
Sub-part 3 – Grown Organ………………………………………………………………...7
Sub-part 4 – Synesthetic Organ…………………………………………………………...7
Sub-part 5 – Considerations and Recommendation……………………………………….8
Part 3
Sub-part 1- Replacement issues…………………………………………………………...8
Sub-part 2 – Pros and cons……………………………………………………………….10
References………………………………………………………………………………..12
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Sean Ansbro
Report Writing
May 5, 2015
Research Report (Draft 1)
Introduction
Sub-part 1 – Overview
The failing of the human body are quite obvious to anyone who has seen the human body
age over a short period of time, things that seemed to be at their peak of functionality fail and
unlike a machine, these parts have major difficulties when being replaced. These issues usually
fall under certain things such as rejection, infection, incompetence, and disagreeable lifestyles
that continue to harm the replaced part. The primary premise for the paper is to outline the
effects of transplants on the human body using artificial non-organic created organs, and the
effects of organically grown organs in a lab that are grown from the cells of the patient who will
receive the transplant. The effects on the body can and will vary from the type of
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implant/replacement and if the patient’s body rejects the organ in the short term or the long term.
What will be looked at is the cost of both implants and the time to create/grow the organ, along
with the time the organ can and will remain functional.
Sub-part 2 – Inform about subject
Part one will discuss what the organ that will be replaced does in a healthy patient, along
with this, the issue that will be touched upon later in the paper will be introduced. The organ that
will be used as the example is the liver, which is a key organ in the human body. Part two will go
into detail about how each replacement works. The pros and cons of each will be discussed,
though even if one comes out to be better than the other, both will be used to explain how
transplants work and the dangers and survivability of such operation. Part three will use
previously stated data to answer how an artificial liver will react to an older male, 50 to 70 years
old with a lifestyle that has been straining on his liver.
Part 1
Sub-part 1 – Introduction
The liver’s processes can be broken down into sub topics dealing with substances at the
chemical level, these topics will include the digestion part or bile, the effects and role it plays in
metabolism, and how it removes toxins from the body and how it works is key to understanding
how to replace this vital organ with an artificial mechanism. The process that will be described is
the basic functions that it plays in detoxification, hormone production, synthesis, and glycogen
regulation. Located above the stomach in the abdominal cavity, rest the liver. This key organ
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preforms processes that keeps are bodies alive with Digestion and detoxification. I shall explain
the processes it carries out as one observing the processes and when I am done. One reading will
have a better understanding as to how the organ functions.
Sub-part 2 – Bile and Digestion
Nutrients are absorbed into the lymph system from the small intestine and Non-lipids are
sent to the liver directly. Lipids are sent though a lymphatic canals and deposited into the
circulatory system just before the heart. The lipids then travel though the heart and the
circulatory system before reaching the liver, any damage that would be done by these chemicals
and lipids may have a chance to be done to the heart and body before reaching the liver and
kidneys. Bile is injected into the small intestine from the liver via a drainage canal. This is a
major aid in the digestion of lipids and acts as a filter to attempt to stop large amounts of fats
entering the blood stream due to the ineffective way of treatment. Bile in a solution that contains
water, electrolytes and other organic molecules usually in varying amounts due to the individual.
(Bile acids, cholesterol, phospholipids and bilirubin). This organic solution is stored, processed,
and then later concentrated in the gallbladder.
In the gall bladder, bile is concentrated due to the action of water being absorbed by the
surrounding tissue in the act of osmosis, the removal of water leaves virtually all organic
compounds in the solution. Bile works to aid digestion by Emulsifying lipids Emulsifying is the
act of suspending one solution of lesser amounts in another solutions, these solutions will
normally separate due to the denser fluid being pulled towards gravity, though any force applied
will cause them to become mixed again.
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Bile breaks down lipid chunks into smaller particles. The reason for smaller particles is
to increase surface area to make it easier to digest by lipases (enzymes that causes hydrolysis of
lipids). Also Bile aids in the transportation of toxins in water environments by being able to
emulsify lipid molecules. This is key for certain vitamins to be absorbed by fats.
Sub-part 3 – Metabolism
The liver preforms the process of gluconeogenesis to create glucose to be used by the
body. To perform this function the liver requires access to non-carbohydrate substrates. The
process occurs more specifically in the mitochondria of the cells. In the cells the molecules
undergo a reaction that starts with the use of an ATP and uses pyruvate. Oxaloacetate is
produced then reduced to malate using a NADH and is removed from the mitochondria. Malate
is oxidized and made into Oxaloacetate. Oxaloacetate undergoes decarboxylation and then
undergoes phosphorylation to create phosphoenolpyruvate. Water is used to remove one
phosphate creating Glucose-6-phosphate. Lastly Glucose-6-phosphate is hydrolyzed to make
Glucose. The product is moved to the Endoplasmic Reticulum’s membrane.
Sub-part 4 - Detoxification
Enzyme break down is one of the two ways for the liver to detoxify the body. The
enzymes work along with oxygen to destroy and process the outside toxins that have entered the
body. Enzymes transfer the toxins that are lipid soluble to water soluble compounds. This is
considered phase one of detoxification and this prepares the toxins for stage 2. After being
converted to water soluble forms certain short comings of phase 1 come to light. Phase 1 fails to
make the toxin water soluble enough to complete the whole pathway. And 2, some toxins are
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now more destructive due to the change. Phase 2 deals with these issues by decreasing the
toxicity and increasing the solubility.
Stage 3 deals with transportation of the now water soluble toxin. Proteins are used to remove and
transport the toxin though and out of the body, these are called ABC transporters and they
require chemical energy (ATP) to function. Though these cells can harbor cancer cells during
chemotherapy. The second way is for the liver to use semi-destroyed toxins and combine with
sulfur or amino-acids that can be removed though bile or urine.
Part 2
Sub-part 1 – Rejection of Organ
Rejection in the medical field rejection can mean death for the patient who was rejected,
this can be blood, organ, or marrow transplants that fail to be accepted by the human body. When
the body rejects outside elements that have invaded its domain, whether due to a medical
professional, artist, or due to an unforeseen accident, it can cause more harm than good when it
tries to deal with and remove the outside substance or object. The effects of rejection can be
easily observed when blood is administered to from one to another and the type is incompatible
to the receiver. This results in the body’s immune system attacking the unknown blood. Some
basic symptoms for blood rejection include, body pain, bloody urine, dizziness, and flushed skin.
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While long term effects include anemia, lung failure, and kidney failure. These effects are
amplified when an organ is placed into another person. The problem when artificial organs and
home grown organs are used is the body rejection. What I will describe is the effects of internal
metal rejection and organ rejection. Also I will include what happens when an organ is accepted
to a degree and how the immune system can be suppressed and tricked to allow artificial organs
can be used and whether home grown parts or built organs are the better choice.
Sub-part 2 – the Criteria
The criteria that will be looked at is the price for the receiver, time for production of the
organ, current technology, will it be rejected by the body, lifespan of the replacement, and
efficiency of the organ. This requirements for the organ will be looked at. This report is meant to
create an educated prediction of the technology that will be present in the next five to ten year,
using current scientific research as a bases for the prediction.
Sub-part 3 – Grown Organ
Let’s start with the homegrown organs or what they are better known as, lab grown
organs. The major benefit of tissues and organs grown in a lab is that the starting cells for it are
usually taken from the patient who will receive the product. This dramatically reduces the chance
of the organ or tissue being rejected by the body to the point of being zero. This means that the
person in need of the organ will not have to spend their entire life or sections of their life on an
immunosuppressant so the body won’t reject the organ. Although in less severe cases, the
method to create organs and tissue can be used to repair, not replace, damaged organs. The cons
are that the organ must be grown from a base amount of cells and may be weaker for a time then
an adult organ. Though with certain recent creations and innovations, such as the 3-D printer,
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which the base idea has been modified to use a cellular matrix instead of plastic in some place of
the world. The major drawback now is the cost to produce complex organs. While arteries and
hallow transport ways in the body are possible today, whole organ growing is still in the
experimental stages of devolvement.
Sub-part 4 – Synesthetic Organ
The second option is to forego the organic component of organ replacements and
supplement the damaged or operational organ or tissue with a mechanical replacement. Similar
to laboratory growth of organs, mechanical organs have a range of verities that are even used
today. One of the mechanical additions that can be added to those whose heart is weak or has an
odd rhythm is the pacemaker. What this does is supplement the organic pacemaker that already
exist in the heart. In addition to this external machines already exist that replace and supplement
internal organ function. One machine function is to perform liver and kidney dialysis. Some
mechanical organs look similar to the grown ones and some or grown, though the difference is
one uses cells and the other uses a polymer mesh in they’re place. Using organic polymer instead
of the inelegant metal that is used today is a way the false organs can be used without the risk
being rejected by the patient’s immune system.
Sub-part 5 – Considerations and Recommendation
Looking at both methods of organ replacement, the cost for both, if similar methods are
used, are the same. Though the amount of time they can be used varies considerably. The organ
grown from semi-organic polymers are designed to be degradable, while the organic, cellular
organ is designed to be lifelong. Or, as long as the organ doesn’t undergo the same damage the
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obsolete one did. This may mean a change of lifestyle for some. Both can be produced mostly in
the same location and time requirements for their production don’t vary by that much.
Considering the breakdown of the polymer required, the cellular grown organ seems to be
better than the organic polymer organ. Since both have the same restraints and benefits almost,
the choice of the organ should be up to the medical staff and what is at hand for production or
what can be created quicker.
Part 3
Sub-part 1- Replacement issues
This section will contain info relating to post surgery problems that arise in patients who
receive liver transplants. Post-surgery symptoms can include infection can occur in the area were
surgery occurred and even areas far connected to the operated area. The strain even mild
surgeries place upon the body can increase cortisol levels and cause the immune system to
overreact due to the damage and because more harm, this can lead to a weakening of the body’s
immune system. Localized infection can occur at the site of operation due to outside agents that
sometimes enter though the opened cavity, these can cause more severe problems that will
require antibiotics or surgery to clean away the infection.
Blood infection can occur when localized infections enter and spreads though out the
circulatory system, this is intensely problematic as the infection can be transported to other
important organs and cause damage, though both the brain and heart are mostly what is worried
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about. As well as having the infection damaging other organs the body’s immune system may
attack the infection and cause more damage than good.
The primary concern is rejection, even if all that can be done is done to allow the body to
assimilate the organ, it still may reject it due to slight differences in the sugars on the cell’s
surfaces. Drugs that are administered during surgery may have an adverse effect on the patient,
including neurological damage and farther organ damage.
In the case of cancer removal, the cancer may grow more rapidly if nay cells are left behind in
the local area, this is due to the weakened immune system of the body after and during surgery.
High blood pressure and increased levels of cholesterol may occur after surgery. When the body
is stressed, mentally and/or physically, cortisol is released into the body’s systems along with the
previously stated symptoms, it can also suppress the immune system.
Diabetes can occur after a surgery due to poor blood flow to the liver and kidneys. During
surgery most doctors focus on maintaining function in the heart and the brain, other organs
usually are not taken care of as much as needed, one is the kidney, who quickly dies and loses
function do to poor blood flow to it and the local area of the body. More obvious symptoms that
can show that something a faulty can occur after surgery. These can include Jaundice, the yellow
pigmentation of the body’s tissue due to a failing and faulty liver, due to an increase of bilirubin
in the system that has been deposited in the tissue of the skin, and in the sclera of the eye. Fever
will be promenade in those who reject the organ, this is due to the body’s immune system
activating and attempting to kill of the foreign cell or organ that has invaded the body, also
Nausea can happen, which is a basic symptom of immune reaction. The reaction the body will
have to the chosen organ that will be placed into it will vary depending on the type and how it
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was made. External mechanical livers offer a fix for liver failure, yet these do have their flaws.
The patient will need constant medical care as the machine needs maintenance and cleaning.
Sub-part 2 – Pros and cons
The patient will have to be bed stuck for long periods of time if the machine used is
meant to replace the liver, not support it. Internal organs that are created using a plastic polymer
mesh and cover offer benefits that the large external variants can’t. Patients can carry one a
relatively normal life as if the organ they received was from a donor without fear of it rejecting
them later in life.
A con of polymer organs is that they may require more surgery to be replaced again as
the polymer may break down over time. The best option for organ transplants may be lab grown
organs that use the cells of the patient to grow it, in this sense that patient is the donor. Benefits
of this is that there is near zero chance of the body rejecting the organ. The organ also will not
break down like a polymer organ. This is not accounting for the aging of the liver though a
normal life.
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References
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An organ shortage is killing people. Are lab-grown organs the answer? (2014, November 20).
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Artificial Organs. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2, 2015, from
http://www.upmc.com/SERVICES/REGENERATIVE-MEDICINE/RESEARCH/ARTIFICIALORGANS/Pages/default.aspx
Liver Disease: Symptoms and Causes Including Liver Cirrhosis. (n.d.). Retrieved June 1, 2015,
from http://www.medicinenet.com/liver_disease/article.htm
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http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/liver-function-test-lft
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2015, from http://patient.info/health/liver-function-tests
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