A simplified method for micronucleus preparation from hepatic cells

A simplified method for micronucleus preparation from regenerating hepatocytes has been developed. Small pieces of the regenerating portion of the liver are incubated in 1% sodium citrate solution containing collagenase Type 1A (final concentration 0.005% w/v) at 37 C for 10-15 min with occasional gentle agitation. The larger particles are discarded. Drops of the thick homogeneous citrate suspension of liver cells are put on the slides and drawn back immediately into the pipette, leaving only the drop marks. This simplified method, which gives good preparations with many intact hepatocytes, was validated in a model experiment using mitomycin C. The data revealed a distinct dose-response effect.