Rapid induction of NF-κB binding during liver cell isolation and culture:: Inhibition by L-NAME indicates a role for nitric oxide synthase

This study is the first to demonstrate activation of NF-kappa B binding just 10 minutes into the commonly employed hepatocyte isolation procedure. It is further reported that the anti-oxidant Trolox can prevent the induction of NF-kappa B during the well established hepatocyte isolation procedure but not during their subsequent culture. However both phases of NF-kappa B activation are inhibited by L-NAME intimating a role for NO production, via nitric oxide synthase. These findings demonstrate that at least 2 different signal transduction pathways are operative during hepatocyte isolation and culture. Thus further studies employing Trolox and L-NAME will help delineate how each pathway contributes to the generalised loss of liver function commonly observed in vitro. (C) 1999 Academic Press.