Morphological changes in trout hepatocytes exposed to acetaminophen

Isolated trout hepatocytes prepared by collagenase digestion were maintained in primary culture in chemically defined, serum-free medium for 3-5 days to evaluate the influence of various agents on cell-cell interactions. Isolated cells were plated onto plastic culture plates coated with trout skin extracts. Greater than 80% of the lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH) and DNA content of the cells was retained for 3 days, indicating good cell viability. After 24 h, the cells aggregate into clumps which increase in size over several days to include several hundred cells, four to ten cells deep on the surface of the plate. Microscopic evaluation suggests these aggregates reflect normal cell-cell interactions. Adjacent hepatocytes appear to share junctional complexes and form canaliculi. Cells ultrastructurally identical to biliary epithelial cells form apparent ductule complexes. Acetaminophen (2-10mm) interferes with cell-cell aggregation. Treated hepatocytes remain rounded and mitochondria distribution is altered, occupying only the central region of the cells. Acetaminophen has little influence on LDH or DNA content, suggesting a sensitive and specific action of the drug on cell-cell interactions. © 1990.

Duke Scholars

Author David E. Hinton Environmental Sciences and Policy