Qualitative and quantitative analysis of the effects of acetaminophen and N-acetylcysteine on the surface morphology of Hep3B hepatoma cells in vitro.

Acetaminophen (AAP) is harmful to the liver if consumed in excessive doses. Its toxicity can be counteracted by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The authors studied cultures of Hep3B cells exposed to AAP or NAC or both, at 24 and 48 h, using the scanning electron microscope. Using morphometric software, they found that cultures exposed for 24 h to AAP or AAP + NAC suffered reduction in cell confluence. Exposure increased the incidence of rounding cells and of apoptotic and autoschizic appearances. Differences between control cultures cultivated without serum versus those exposed to xenobiotics were merely quantitative, not essential.