Effects of serum from patients with acute liver failure due to paracetamol overdose on human hepatocytes in vitro.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to investigate the effects of serum from patients with acute liver failure due to paracetamol (acetaminophen) overdose on the function of human hepatocytes in vitro. METHODS: Freshly isolated human hepatocytes plated on collagen-coated culture plates were, incubated (24 hours 37 degrees C) in medium containing pooled human sera (0%-80%) obtained from normal individuals or from patients with acute liver failure due to paracetamol overdose. The effects of the sera on cell function were assessed using MTT, [14C]-leucine incorporation, and cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1/2) activity assays. RESULTS: The overall cellular metabolic activity was significantly greater at all concentrations after exposure to acute liver failure serum compared to normal serum. There were no significant differences in the decreases produced by pooled acute liver failure and normal sera at concentrations up to 80% on the [14C]-leucine incorporation or CYP1A1/2 activity. CONCLUSION: The overall cell function/activity of human hepatocytes was not impaired in vitro on exposure to serum from patients with acute liver failure due to paracetamol overdose.