The Liverbeads® as a tool for the comet assay

Liverbeads(R), cryopreserved hepatocytes entrapped within an alginate matrix, were examined for their relevance in the comet assay. It was estimated by their capacity to activate the indirectly acting mutagens, cyclophosphamide (CP), benzo[a]pyrene (BP), dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF), into DNA reactive metabolites. The comet assay performed in alkaline condition is a sensitive method for detecting strand breaks at the level of individual cells and allows use of quiescent cells. Experimental conditions as treatment time, cell density, beads dissociation and viability were investigated. Significant statistical positive results assessed by the tail extent moment (TEM) were observed with both human and rat Liverbeads(R) after 12 h duration incubation compared to metabolic non-competent cells, HeLa S3. Due to the maintenance of specific functions assessed by the observed capacity to metabolize xenobiotics, Liverbeads(R) represent a suitable tool system, easy to handle, for the detection of promutagens using the comet assay. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.