[Regulation of hepatocyte 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in primary cell cultures through low density lipoproteins].

The regulation of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis by low density lipoprotein (LDL) was studied by using a new cell culture method of isolated rat hepatocytes. After two days in culture no supressant effect of LDL on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity (HMG-CoA) was detected. The primary culture of rat hepatocytes lead to the growth of a cell monolayer with stable liver specific properties during 4 days of culture. LDL did suppress HMG-CoA-reductase activity of rat hepatocytes in primary culture 5 days after seeding, when dedifferentiation has started.