We would like to acknowledge Susan Gray and Umadevi Chalasani for their help with technical aspects of the hepatocyte isolation protocol. This work was supported by NIDDK grant 5R01DK089185 (to M.P. Cooper) and the DERC Pilot and Feasibility Program at UMMS (to M.P. Cooper).

All animal experimentation should be carried out in accordance with local and federal regulations and with the approval of an institutional IACUC and radiation safety administration.
1. Preparation
<ol>
	<li>Several days prior to the assay, thaw the 500 ml&#160;bottle of Liver Digest Medium (LDM) and refreeze ~35 ml&#160;aliquots in 50 ml&#160;conical tubes. Store at -20 &#176;C until needed.</li>
	<li>One day prior to the assay, pre-sterilize clean dissection tools by autoclave.</li>
	<li>O...

<ol>
	<li>Clark, J. M., Brancati, F. L., Diehl, A. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+prevalence+and+etiology+of+elevated+aminotransferase+levels+in+the+United+States.">The prevalence and etiology of elevated aminotransferase levels in the United States.</a> The American journal of gastroenterology. 98, 960-967 (2003).</li><li>Lazo, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Prevalence+of+nonalcoholic+Fatty+liver+disease+in+the+United+States:+the+third+national+health+and+nutrition+examination+survey,+1988-1994.">Prevalence of nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease in the United States: the third national health and nutrition examination survey, 1988-1994.</a> American journal of epidemiology. 178, 38-45 (2013).</li><li>Angulo, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nonalcoholic+fatty+liver+disease.">Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.</a> The New England journal of medicine. 346, 1221-1231 (2002).</li><li>Adams, L. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+natural+history+of+nonalcoholic+fatty+liver+disease:+a+population-based+cohort+study.">The natural history of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a population-based cohort study.</a> Gastroenterology. 129, 113-121 (2005).</li><li>Feldstein, A. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hepatocyte+apoptosis+and+fas+expression+are+prominent+features+of+human+nonalcoholic+steatohepatitis.">Hepatocyte apoptosis and fas expression are prominent features of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.</a> Gastroenterology. 125, 437-443 (2003).</li><li>Day, C. P., James, O. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Steatohepatitis:+a+tale+of+two+'hits'.">Steatohepatitis: a tale of two 'hits'.</a> Gastroenterology. 114, 842-845 (1998).</li><li>Donnelly, K. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sources+of+fatty+acids+stored+in+liver+and+secreted+via+lipoproteins+in+patients+with+nonalcoholic+fatty+liver+disease.">Sources of fatty acids stored in liver and secreted via lipoproteins in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.</a> The Journal of clinical investigation. 115, 1343-1351 (2005).</li><li>Lambert, J. E., Ramos-Roman, M. A., Browning, J. D., Parks, E. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Increased+de+novo+lipogenesis+is+a+distinct+characteristic+of+individuals+with+nonalcoholic+fatty+liver+disease.">Increased de novo lipogenesis is a distinct characteristic of individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.</a> Gastroenterology. 146, 726-735 (2014).</li><li>Parks, E. J., Hellerstein, M. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Thematic+review+series:+patient-oriented+research.+Recent+advances+in+liver+triacylglycerol+and+fatty+acid+metabolism+using+stable+isotope+labeling+techniques.">Thematic review series: patient-oriented research. Recent advances in liver triacylglycerol and fatty acid metabolism using stable isotope labeling techniques.</a> Journal of lipid research. 47, 1651-1660 (2006).</li><li>Befroy, D. E., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Direct+assessment+of+hepatic+mitochondrial+oxidative+and+anaplerotic+fluxes+in+humans+using+dynamic+13C+magnetic+resonance+spectroscopy.">Direct assessment of hepatic mitochondrial oxidative and anaplerotic fluxes in humans using dynamic 13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy.</a> Nature medicine. 20, 98-102 (2014).</li><li>Goncalves, L. A., Vigario, A. M., Penha-Goncalves, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Improved+isolation+of+murine+hepatocytes+for+in+vitro+malaria+liver+stage+studies.">Improved isolation of murine hepatocytes for in vitro malaria liver stage studies.</a> Malaria journal. 6, 169 (2007).</li></ol>

The authors indicate they have no conflicts of interest.

The time from sacrifice to perfusion should be less than 3 min for ideal perfusion and collagenase digestion of the liver. Once perfusion with Perfusion Medium is initiated, the liver should immediately change appearance to from red to pale. After approximately 10 min of incubation with LDM, the liver will appear swollen and pink. In the event that perfusion is insufficient, the liver may not exhibit these changes, and this will typically result in a lower hepatocyte yield.
Following the washi...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the leading causes of liver disease in Westernized cultures1,2. Lipid accumulation within the liver is associated with cell death, fibrosis, and liver failure via yet unknown mechanisms3-6. In fatty liver disease, hepatocyte-mediated &#946;-fatty acid oxidation and de novo lipogenesis are important determinants of net lipid accumulation7,8. This article will, therefore, focus on hepatocyte isolation, followed by quantification of &#946;-fatty acid oxidation and de novo lipogenesis.
Numerous methodologies have been developed to interrogate hepatocyte lipid metabolism. Though it is possible to measure metabolism of fat in vivo using stable isotopes9,10, these methods are costly, and require large numbers of animals. Additionally, the ability to investigate the effect of exogenous chemicals is limited due to the nature of in vivo experimentation. In contrast, the isolation of primary hepatocytes from mouse liver provides an affordable avenue to pursue11. Furthermore, studying hepatocytes in culture allows investigators to study the effects of varying chemicals on lipid processing while circumventing the difficulties of in vivo experimentation. Finally, isolated hepatocytes avoid any confounding from varying genetics since they are derived from the liver of a single animal.
Here we isolate and culture of hepatocytes, and we measure &#946;-fatty acid oxidation and de novo lipogenesis, using radiolabeled palmitate. The protocol detailed below is straight forward, effective, and reproducible.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Liver Perfusion Medium</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>17701038</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Liver Digest Medium</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>17703034</td>
			<td>Aliquot and store at -20 &#176;C</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>21-040-CV</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10X DPBS</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>46-013-CM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>10-017-CV</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>26140079&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Collagen</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>A1048301&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Colloidal silica coated with polyvinylpyrrolidone</td>
			<td>GE Life Sciences</td>
			<td>17-0891-01</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sodium Pyruvate</td>
			<td>Cellgro</td>
			<td>25-000-CI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin / Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Cellgro</td>
			<td>30-001-CI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Insulin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>I0516-5ML</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dexamethasone</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D2915-100MG</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Albumin (BSA), Fraction V</td>
			<td>MP Biomedicals</td>
			<td>103703</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-Well Culture Dish</td>
			<td>Corning Falcon</td>
			<td>353047&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tygon S3 Tubing&#160;</td>
			<td>Cole Parmer</td>
			<td>06460-34</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Male Leur Lock to 200 Barb Connectors</td>
			<td>Cole Parmer</td>
			<td>45518-00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24G x 3/4&#34; Catheter</td>
			<td>SurFlo</td>
			<td>SROX2419CA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Perma-Hand Silk Suture</td>
			<td>Ethicon</td>
			<td>683G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Strainer</td>
			<td>Corning Falcon</td>
			<td>08-771-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>IsoTemp 3013HD Recirculating Water Bath</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>13-874-3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>MasterFlex C/L Peristaltic Pump</td>
			<td>MasterFlex</td>
			<td>HV-77122-24</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microclamp</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-7438</td>
			<td>Pre-sterilize in autoclave</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5&#8221; Straight, Blunt-Blunt Operating Scissors</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-6810</td>
			<td>Pre-sterilize in autoclave</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24mm Blade Straight, Sharp-point Microdissecting Scissors</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-5912</td>
			<td>Pre-sterilize in autoclave</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4&#8221; 0.8mm Tip Microdissecting Forceps</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-5130</td>
			<td>Pre-sterilize in autoclave</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4&#8221; 0.8mm Tip Full Curve Microdissecting Forceps</td>
			<td>Roboz</td>
			<td>RS-5137</td>
			<td>Pre-sterilize in autoclave</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>60 mL Syringe</td>
			<td>Becton Dickinson</td>
			<td>309653</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50 mL conical tubes</td>
			<td>Corning Falcon</td>
			<td>352070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>BCA Protein Assay</td>
			<td>Thermo Scientific</td>
			<td>23225</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Biosafety Cabinet</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>CO2 Incubator</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Serological pipets</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1000, 200, 20 &#956;L pipet and tips</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

determination of fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis in mouse primary hepatocytes

Lipid metabolism in liver is complex. In addition to importing and exporting lipid via lipoproteins, hepatocytes can oxidize lipid via fatty acid oxidation, or alternatively, synthesize new lipid via de novo lipogenesis. The net sum of these pathways is dictated by a number of factors, which in certain disease states leads to fatty liver disease. Excess hepatic lipid accumulation is associated with whole body insulin resistance and coronary heart disease. Tools to study lipid metabolism in hepatocytes are useful to understand the role of hepatic lipid metabolism in certain metabolic disorders.
In the liver, hepatocytes regulate the breakdown and synthesis of fatty acids via &#946;-fatty oxidation and de novo lipogenesis, respectively. Quantifying metabolism in these pathways provides insight into hepatic lipid handling. Unlike in vitro quantification, using primary hepatocytes, making measurements in vivo is technically challenging and resource intensive. Hence, quantifying &#946;-fatty acid oxidation and de novo lipogenesis in cultured mouse hepatocytes provides a straight forward method to assess hepatocyte lipid handling. 
Here we describe a method for the isolation of primary mouse hepatocytes, and we demonstrate quantification of &#946;-fatty acid oxidation and de novo lipogenesis, using radiolabeled substrates.

Hepatocyte isolations typically result in 1 - 3 x 107 total cells. After overnight incubation, the cells will appear hexagonal, many of which will be binucleated (Figure 2). Healthy cells should be devoid of granulations or blebs, which are indicative of cell death.
In general, Fatty Acid Oxidation assay is run in three to four replicates per test compound. Counts for the CO2 samples are approximately one-fifth of those derived from the acid soluble mater...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Determination of Fatty Acid Oxidation and Lipogenesis in Mouse Primary Hepatocytes at JoVE.com

Determination of Fatty Acid Oxidation and Lipogenesis in Mouse Primary Hepatocytes

De novo lipogenesis and &#946;-fatty acid oxidation constitute key metabolic pathways in hepatocyte, pathways that are perturbed in several metabolic disorders, including fatty liver disease. Here we demonstrate isolation of mouse primary hepatocytes and describe quantification of &#946;-fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis.

Lipid metabolism in liver is complex. In addition to importing and exporting lipid via lipoproteins, hepatocytes can oxidize lipid via fatty acid ...

determination-fatty-acid-oxidation-lipogenesis-mouse-primary

Research

JoVE Journal

Biology

20.1K visualizações.  University of Massachusetts Medical School.  De novo a lipogênese e oxidação do ácido β-gordo constituem vias metabólicas importantes em hepatócitos, caminhos que são perturbados em vários distúrbios metabólicos, incluindo a doença de fígado gordo. Aqui demonstramos isolamento de hepatócitos primários de rato e descrever quantificação da oxidação de ácidos graxos e β-lipogênese. 