| Abstract: | The suitability of isolated rat hepatocytes for the investigationof the toxicity of chemical mixtures has been studied. Cadmiumchloride and chloroform were used because both had been previouslyinvestigated in hepatocytes and both produce hepatotoxicityafter in vivo administration. The addition of the two chemicalscaused an increase in cytotoxicity as assessed by loss of intracellularpotassiumion and aspartate aminotransferase. There was evena toxic response from the mixture at concentrations where thechemicals alone yielded no such response. The metabolic parameter,lactate to pyruvate ratio, was less consistently affected. Thenature of the interaction could, under the varying conditionsemployed, be described as one of synergism, potentiation, oraddition. The data support the proposed role of isolated hepatocytesin screening chemical mixtures for toxic effects. |
