USE OF PRECISION-CUT RAT-LIVER SLICES FOR STUDIES OF XENOBIOTIC METABOLISM AND TOXICITY - COMPARISON OF THE KRUMDIECK AND BRENDEL TISSUE SLICERS

1. In this study we have compared freshly cut and cultured precision-c ut rat liver slices produced by the Krumdieck and Brendel-Vihon tissue slicers. 2. No significant differences were observed in levels of pro tein, potassium, total glutathione (i.e. GSH and GSSG), reduced glutat hione (GSH) and-cytochrome P450 and activities of 7-ethoxyresorufin O- deethylase and 7-benzoxyresorufin O-debenzylase in freshly cut rat liv er slices produced by the two tissue slicers. However, levers of oxidi zed glutathione (GSSG) were significantly greater in liver slices prod uced with the Brendel-Vitron tissue slicer. 3. Precision-cut rat liver slices produced with both tissue slicers mere cultured for 0 (i.e. a 1-h preincubation), 24 and 72 h in a dynamic organ culture system in a n atmosphere of either 95 % O-2/5 % CO2 or 95 % air/5 % CO2. 4. Apart from small differences in glutathione levels in 0 and 24 h cultured li ver slices, no significant differences were observed in the parameters measured between liver slices prepared with both tissue slicers and c ultured in both gas phases. 5. With liver slices produced by both tiss ue slicers 50 mu M sodium arsenite produced a greater induction of hea t shock protein 70 levels in slices cultured for 24 h in a high oxygen than in an air atmosphere. 6. These results suggest that both tissue slicers can readily produce precision-cut liver slices for studies of xenobiotic metabolism and toxicity. However, the data suggest that for any given application of precision-cut tissue slices it is desirable to establish optimal culture conditions.