Studies on fatty liver with isolated hepatocytes. III. Cumene hydroperoxide-induced change of several cell functions.

Isolated rat hepatocytes have been treated with cumene hydroperoxide at concentrations not inducing irreversible cell damage. Under these experimental conditions cells show an enhanced lipid peroxidation, a decrease of glucose-6-phosphatase activity and of cytochrome P-450 content, and a stimulation of aminopyrene demethylation. Furthermore, the hepatocyte incorporation of amino acids is slightly but significantly reduced by the tested compound. Finally, because of the inhibitory effect of cumene hydroperoxide on cell lipoprotein but not on protein secretion, a mechanism of damage acting at the level of the assembly and maturation of lipoprotein micelles is postulated.