Abstract
Suspensions of isolated parenchymal cells were prepared from rat liver by incubation with collagenase and hyaluronidase followed by mechanical treatment. Utilization of 0.15% collagenase together with 0.15% hyaluronidase yielded adequate numbers of cells for experimental purposes. As shown by light and electron microscopy, approximately 75% of the isolated cells retain their structural integrity. The cell suspensions are capable of maintaining endogenous respiration in the presence of 1% albumin for periods of time up to 8 hr. These cell preparations consist almost entirely of parenchymal cells and offer a unique tissue preparation for the study of hepatic metabolism.