Improved detection of carcinogens by degranulation of microsomes prepared at low g force by glutathione

Rat liver microsomes can be prepared by the addition of glutathione to post-mitochondrial supernatant (PMS) and its subsequent sedimentation at 10,000 g. These microsomes seem to be unaffected with respect to their major components, and substantial loss of their ribosomes on treatments with various degranulating reagents shows that they contain intact ribosomes. The indices of ribosomal attachment show that these preparations contain more ribosomes per unit area of membrane surface as compared to those prepared at high g forces. High values of per cent degranulation by incubating these microsomes with coded carcinogens and failure of non-carcinogens to cause this effect show that the technique can be used efficiently for quick, inexpensive and more accurate prediction of carcinogens in human environments.