Chinese Surgeons Achieve Historic Pig Liver Transplant in Brain-Dead Patient

In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a team of Chinese surgeons has conducted the world's first successful transplantation of a pig liver into a brain-dead individual. This pioneering procedure was reported in the scientific journal Nature, where the team highlighted that the transplanted organ began to function shortly after the operation, producing bile within a matter of hours.

The experiment lasted for ten days, during which the pig liver demonstrated functionality without any immediate signs of rejection. The genetic makeup of the donor pig underwent modifications at six points to mitigate the risk of organ rejection, a significant step in advancing xenotransplantation techniques.

Bruno Reichart, a prominent surgeon and researcher from Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, remarked on the complexity of the liver, noting that the proteins it produces are highly specific to human physiology. This procedure represents a major milestone for transplantation medicine.

During the experiment, the brain-dead patient's circulation was maintained through artificial ventilation and medication, allowing the team to monitor the function of the pig liver. The decision to end the trial was made in accordance with the family's wishes after a ten-day period, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

The primary goal of the transplant was to provide a temporary solution for acute liver failure, which can occur due to various causes, including toxic exposure. The researchers believe that the pig liver could serve as an interim support system until either the patient's original liver recovers or a human donor organ becomes available. One of the leading medical professionals involved in the study, Hai-Long Don from the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi'an, stated that the pig liver functioned effectively within the human body during the observation period.

Previous attempts at xenotransplantation have involved pig hearts and kidneys, with varying degrees of success. However, researchers face significant challenges before such procedures can be routinely implemented in clinical settings.

The transplantation of the pig liver was unique in that the patient's original liver remained in place, suggesting that this approach could provide a viable temporary therapy for patients experiencing liver failure. Experts project that even a brief two-week support from a xenotransplanted organ could allow for recovery in cases of acute liver failure.

In the United States, there have been instances of pig hearts being transplanted into live patients, though both cases resulted in the patients passing away weeks after the operations. Similarly, four patients received pig kidneys, with outcomes ranging from encouraging to disappointing. Ongoing studies aim to refine these techniques, and more kidney transplants from pigs are planned.

Researchers are optimistic about the future of xenotransplantation, with expectations that by 2030, hundreds of pig organs might be transplanted annually. The focus is on breeding genetically modified pigs, which are smaller and less likely to grow excessively large organs that could complicate surgeries.

While the recent pig liver transplant in China does not yet pave the way for routine clinical use, it represents a significant step forward in understanding how such transplants might function in humans. Future research will be crucial in distinguishing between the use of pig organs as temporary support versus their potential for long-term transplantation.