[Isolation and characterization of hepatocytes from chronic cholestatic damage to rat livers after bile duct ligation].

The aim of these investigations was the isolation and characterisation of hepatocytes from chronic injured rat livers after bile duct ligation. In three months old female Uje:WIST rats the distal common bile duct was double ligated. 14 days after the ligation 80% of the rats survived. The content of hepatic OH-prolin was increased in relation to shamoperated control animals. The histological examination showed a marked fibrous and oedematous spreading of the portal tract as well as an extensive bile duct proliferation after 14 days. A correlation between OH-prolin content of the liver and index of fibrosis was found. 14 days after ligation the hepatocytes were isolated according to Seglen (7). The yield of hepatocytes isolated from the liver of cholestatic rats and from control animals was on average 4 x 10(8) cells with a viability of 80%. Ultrastructural the most hepatocytes showed intact organells without injury. We can conclude, that it is possible to isolate hepatocytes from chronic cholestatic rat livers with a good yield and viability as well as with an intact ultrastructure. These cells are suitable for additional metabolic investigations.