An experimental model for the study of hepatic transport and metabolism of toxic compounds.

The usefulness of isolated liver cells for the study of hepatocellular transport and metabolism is demonstrated, using 1-naphthol and 2,2'-dichlorobiphenyl as model compounds. More than 60% of both substances is rapidly taken up by the cells. Naphthol is conjugated with sulphate and with glucuronic acid. These conjugates are released from the cells. Conjugation of dichlorobiphenyl and release of the conjugates is about 25 times slower than that of naphthol.