| Abstract: | The occurrence of thermotolerance, induced by an initial heat treatment at 42 degrees C for 30 min, was studied in adult non-proliferating rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Heat treatment at 42 degrees C for 30 min did not affect cell morphology, cell attachment, Na+, K+ pump activity, K+ content and lactate dehydrogenase accumulation into the medium. In contrast, after exposure to 44 degrees C for 30 min a dramatic change in all these parameters was observed. However, of the cells, which remained attached to the substratum 24 h after treatment, Na+, K+ pump activity and K+ content appeared to be normal compared with untreated cells. Cells, pre-treated at 42 degrees C for 30 min, followed by incubation at 37 degrees C for 16 h, were found to be completely thermal resistant against heat treatment at 44 degrees C, as judged by cell morphology, detachment from the substratum, lactate dehydrogenase accumulation, Na+, K+ pump activity and K+ content. These results show that induction and development of thermotolerance can be studied in non-proliferating cells in primary culture. |
