The effect of oleic and palmitic acid on induction of steatosis and cytotoxicity on rat hepatocytes in primary culture

• Published in: Physiological research Vol. 64; no. Suppl 5; pp. S627 - S636
• Main Authors: Moravcová, A, Červinková, Z, Kučera, O, Mezera, V, Rychtrmoc, D, Lotková, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Czech Republic Institute of Physiology 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Albumins - metabolism; Animals; Apoptosis - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Collagen; Cytotoxicity; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Fatty acids; Hepatocytes - drug effects; Hepatocytes - metabolism; Hepatocytes - pathology; Laboratory animals; Liver; Liver diseases; Male; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial - drug effects; Mitochondria, Liver - drug effects; Mitochondria, Liver - metabolism; Mitochondria, Liver - pathology; Necrosis; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - chemically induced; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - metabolism; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - pathology; Oleic Acid - toxicity; Oxidative stress; Palmitic Acid - toxicity; Primary Cell Culture; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Rodents; Triglycerides - metabolism; Germany
• ISSN: 0862-8408; 1802-9973
• DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933224

In vitro models serve as a tool for studies of steatosis. Palmitic and oleic acids can induce steatosis in cultured hepatocytes. The aim of our study was to verify steatogenic and cytotoxic effects of palmitic acid (PA), oleic acid (OA) and their combinations as well as their impact on functional capacity of rat primary hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were exposed to OA or PA (0.125-2 mmol/l) or their combination at ratios of 3:1, 2:1 or 1:1 at the final concentrations of 0.5-1 mmol/l. Both OA and PA caused a dose-dependent increase in triacylglycerol content in hepatocytes. PA was more steatogenic at 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/l while OA at 0.75 and 1 mmol/l. PA exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect associated with ROS production, present markers of apoptosis and necrosis and a decrease in albumin production. OA induced a damage of the cytoplasmic membrane from 1 mM concentration. Mixture of OA and PA induced lower cytotoxicity with less weakened functional capacity than did PA alone. Extent of steatosis was comparable to that after exposure to OA alone. In conclusion, OA or combination of OA with PA is more suitable for simulation of simple steatosis than PA alone.