The preparation of isolated viable cells from tbe liver, kidneys and heart of rats was attempted, and the oxidation of potassium metabisulfite by viable hepatocytes was investigated.
The collagenase/hyalurenidase digestion method was applicable to the preparation of igolated viable cells from the liver and kidneys, but not from the heart. The addition of 2.5% dialyzed serum albumin to the hepatocyte suspension was effective for the maintenance of cell viability.
During the incubation of hepatocytes at 37°C, the activity of sulfite oxidase was stable for at least 20min in viable cells, but decreased to about 83% in cells broken by freezing and thawing. No decrease in cell viability indnced by metabisulfite was observed at concentrations below 10-3M.
The sulfite oxidizing activity in the cells of the liver was 2.2 times that of kidney cells. There was a positive correlation between the activity of sulfite oxidase per hepatocyte and the body weight (118-335g).
