The use of two populations of hepatocytes with different triacylglycerol contents as a model to study the accumulation of liver lipid in the laying hen.
(1) A method has been developed to separate hepatocytes, isolated from laying hens, according to their densities, using discontinuous density-gradient centrifugation on Nycodenz. (2) The hepatocytes recovered from the interface of the 5% and 10% Nycodenz layers were rich in triacylglycerol and were termed 'fatty' hepatocytes: 'non-fatty' hepatocytes were obtained from the interface of the 15% and 30% Nycodenz layers and contained less than one-quarter as much triacylglycerol. (3) 'Fatty' hepatocytes incorporated radiolabelled glucose and glycerol into total lipid at more than twice the rate of 'non-fatty' cells: the corresponding increases in the incorporation of radiolabelled choline and valine into phospholipid and protein respectively were smaller and not statistically significant. (4) A higher proportion of glycerol and glucose incorporated into total lipid was found to be phospholipid in the 'non-fatty' hepatocytes. (5) A higher proportion of radiolabelled lipid or protein formed from glycerol or valine respectively was secreted into the medium by the 'non-fatty' hepatocytes. (6) The use of these hepatocytes as a model to study fatty liver syndromes is discussed.
Cross
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Department of Biochemistry and Biological Sciences, Wye College (University of London), Kent, U.K.
Dodds
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D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism; D019342:Acetic Acid; D000818:Animals; D002499:Centrifugation, Density Gradient; D002645:Chickens; D005260:Female; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008954:Models, Biological; D010058:Oviposition; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000378:metabolism; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
D000085:Acetates; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D005947:Glucose; D005990:Glycerol; D019342:Acetic Acid