Cell membrane modifications in rabbit isolated hepatocytes following a chronic amitryptiline treatment

Novel insight into antimicrobial resistance and sensitivity phenotypes associated to qac and norA genotypes in Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus strains harboring QacA, QacB, QacC, QacG transporters and norA promoter up-regulating mutations were characterized by phenotype microarray (PM), standard methods for susceptibility testing, and ethidium bromide efflux assays, in order to increase knowledge on phenotypes associated to efflux pumps and their substrates. PM data and standard susceptibility testing lead to the identification of new potential efflux targets, such as guanidine hydrochloride or 8-hydroxyquinoline for QacA and QacC pumps, respectively. The identification of compounds to which the presence of efflux pumps induced increased susceptibility opens new perspectives for potential adjunct anti-resistance treatment (i.e. strains bearing QacB transporters showed increased susceptibility to thioridazine, amitriptyline and orphenadrine). Although the tested isolates were characterized by high degree of heterogeneity, a hallmark of clinical isolates, direct ethidium bromide efflux assays were effective in highlighting differences in efflux efficiency among strains. These data add to characterization of substrate specificity in the different classes of staphylococcal multidrug efflux systems conferring specific substrate profiles and efflux features to each of them.

The hepatocyte primary culture/DNA repair assay using mouse or hamster hepatocytes

The hepatocyte primary culture (HPC)/DNA repair assay using rat hepatocytes was developed to identify genotoxic chemicals. Since there are species differences in susceptibility to chemical carcinogens, it was desirable to extend the assay to other species. Carcinogens and noncarcinogens from six structural classes were tested with hepatocytes from B6C3F1 mice or Syrian hamsters. In hepatocytes from both species, DNA repair was elicited by the carcinogens methyl methanesulfonate, aflatoxin B1, 2-acetylaminofluorene, benzo(a)pyrene, dimethylnitrosamine, nitrosopyrrolidine, 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene, and p-dimethylaminoazobenzene. With aflatoxin B1, mouse hepatocytes required a dose of 10(-4) M for a maximum response while only 10(-6) was needed for hamster hepatocytes. All the presumed noncarcinogens, except 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-4'-sulfonyl chloride, were negative in mouse hepatocytes. This chemical, as well as aflatoxin G2 and pyrene, which have not been tested for carcinogenicity in the hamster, were positive in hamster hepatocytes. These findings demonstrate that genotoxic chemicals can be identified by the HPC/DNA repair assay using hamster or mouse hepatocytes. Furthermore, in vivo differences in susceptibility to chemical carcinogens such as aflatoxin B1 are reflected in the in vitro assay.

Primary cultures and the levels of cytochrome P450 in hepatocytes from mouse, rat, hamster, and rabbit liver

Hepatocyte primary cultures (HPC) derived from rat, mouse, hamster, and rabbit liver were characterized for a variety of parameters. The conditions that maximized recovery, attachment, and survival varied between species. Hepatocytes from all four species were capable of attaching in serum-free Williams' medium E (WME), but optimal attachment as monolayer cultures was achieved for mouse and hamster HPC in medium receiving 1% calf serum supplementation. Hamster hepatocytes required additional cations, whereas rabbit and rat hepatocytes displayed maximal attachment in medium supplemented with 10% calf serum. Survival of mouse and rabbit hepatocytes after 24 h in serum supplemented media was in the order of 90%. Rat and hamster hepatocyte 24 h survival was approximately 70 and 60%, respectively, and was not significantly affected by serum supplementation. Hepatocytes from each species varied in their content of cytochrome P450 at the time of isolation and in the rate of reduction during culture. Mouse and rat hepatocytes demonstrated the most rapid decline in content during the initial 24 h in culture, whereas concentrations in rabbit hepatocytes were virtually unchanged. The rate of decline in P450 concentrations in hamster hepatocytes was intermediate between those displayed by rat and rabbit hepatocytes. These studies have delineated conditions useful for the culture of hepatocytes from four species and have documented the status of an important parameter of their functional capability.