Non enzymatic liver cells isolation: citrate-perchlorate technique

In the present study we describe a non-enzymatic technique for the isolation of rat hepatocytes by perfusion of liver through portal vein. The perfusion media consist of 1 mM sodium percholorate. 5 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM glucose, 129 mM NaCl and 0.1 per cent bovine-serum albumin at pH 7.4. After purification through diatrizoate gradient, electron microscopical studies revealed that most of purified hepatocytes were well preserved and presented a normal ultrastructure, thus correlating with previous biochemical results. The present method enables the recovery of metabolically and morphologically normal hepatocytes.