Abstract
D-galactosamine (GaIN) is a highly selective hepatotoxin that causes liver damage similar to viral hepatitis via depletion of uridine nucleotides, which subsequently diminishes synthesis of RNA and proteins. Model of galactosamine heaptotoxcity is frequently used in animal experiments in vivo.
The purpose of our study was to establish the model of GaIN-induced hepatocyte injury in in vitro conditions using primocultures of rat hepatocytes as an important prerequisite for furhter experiments in which we would like to study potential hepatoprotective effect of various substances. Rate of heaptocyte injury was evaluated by morphological changes, changes in cell viability, albumin production, mitochondrial membrane potential, activity of mitcohondrial dehydrogenases and glutathione content.
Marked dose dependent hepatocyte imjury was found after 24-hour incubation with GaIN. Based on the results we suggest as an optimal model for short-term toxciity test exposure to GaIN for 24 hours in dose of 40 mM.