[Induction, characterization and isolation of preneoplastic hepatocytes following combined treatment with 2-acetaminofluorene and ferric nitrilotriacetate].

Daily administration of ferric nitrilotriacetate (5 ml/Kg b.w./day i.p.) induces in a few weeks liver siderosis; continuous treatment of the same animals with the carcinogen 2-Acetaminofluorene (300 mg/Kg of diet) results in the appearance of several iron devoid hyperplastic areas or nodules, where enzyme histochemistry reveals gamma-GT activity as well as G-6-Pase disappearance. The perfusion of the liver with calcium-free Hanks solution plus collagenase allows an easy isolation of the hepatocytes, whereas a partial separation of the different kinds of cells can be achieved by isopycnic gradient sedimentation.