An in vitro model of ethanol-dependent liver cell injury

Primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes were incubated (6 to 96 hr) with 50 to 150 mmol/L ethanol, 0.5 mmol/L linoleate, 0.5 mmol/L palmitate, 0.5 mmol/L 4-methylpyrazole, 0 to 25 mumol/L vitamin E phosphate or selected combinations of these agents. Agent-dependent changes in liver cell viability (AST release and reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and function (phospholipid peroxidation, hydrolysis, biosynthesis and triacylglycerol biosynthesis) were determined. The influence of ethanol on liver cell function and viability was dose and incubation time dependent. Short periods (24 hr or less) of exposure to 100 mmol/L ethanol increased liver cell triacylglycerol biosynthesis and phospholipid hydrolysis, peroxidation and biosynthesis without altering cell viability. However, longer periods (72 hr or more) of exposure to 100 or 150 mmol/L ethanol resulted in significant reductions (30% to 50%) in cell viability, function and phosphatidylcholine biosynthesis and content. The ethanol-dependent decreases in cell function and viability were potentiated by linoleate and reduced by vitamin E phosphate, palmitate and 4-methylpyrazole. These results suggest that ethanol-induced liver cell injury in vitro is not a result of ethanol per se, but factors such as acetaldehyde or oxyradicals produced as a consequence of ethanol metabolism. Therefore the incubation of cultured hepatocytes with ethanol may be an appropriate model in vitro for determining the mechanisms by which ethanol intake disrupts liver cell function in vivo.