title: Effects of transferrin on the growth and proliferation of porcine hepatocytes: a comparison with epidermal growth factor and nicotinamide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To seek an appropriate culture condition in which porcine hepatocytes can continuously proliferate and express their normal differentiation phenotypes for a longer period of time.
  
  
  METHODS
  Different types and dosages of reagents, transferrin, epidermal growth factor and nicotinamide were used to culture porcine hepatocytes in serum-free Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM). And the proliferative effects and functions of the cells were detected at different culture times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transferrin at 5 ng/ml, nicotinamide at 10 mmol/L and epidermal growth factor at 10 ng/ml had better effects on the viability of hepatocytes than DMEM, DMEM + 10% fetal cattle serum FCS and other dosages of these reagents (P < 0.05). OD values of MTS were still high in culture at day 7 and day 10, while nearly 30% - 35% cells went into the S phase. Good hepatocyte functions were found in these groups, and the secretion of albumin was positively correlated with OD value of MTS. The levels of aspartate transaminase and ammonia in these media were lower than those in DMEM and DMEM + FCS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transferrin at 5 ng/ml, epidermal growth factor at 10 ng/ml and nicotinamide at 10 mmol/L are beneficial to the viability and proliferation of hepatocytes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100044, China. lanhong@public.bta.net.cn
authors.forename: Yulan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Junhong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Gretel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Horvat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013552:Swine; D014168:Transferrin / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D014168:Transferrin; D009536:Niacinamide; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor