In vitro assessment of ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity on the HepG2 line

This study reports on measurement of the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in vitro on using the human hepatocyte cell line HepG2. Cells were incubated in the presence of increasing ethanol concentrations (10-80 mM). Cytotoxicity was quantitated spectrophotometrically both by the metabolism of the tetrazolium dye MTT and by the release into the medium of LDH and other marker enzymes of ethanol damage (AST, GGT and GHD). No cytotoxicity was observed up to 40 mM ethanol whereas a dose-dependent increment was found at higher concentrations (60-80 mM ethanol). At 80 mM ethanol, cell viability after 24 hours was reduced to 68% and 60% as assessed by MTT and LDH release respectively (p < 0.0001 vs. controls). Exposure for additional 24 hours did not increase cytotoxicity. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of fat droplets (steatosis) and mitochondrial damage. The method reported appears to be an useful and reproducible technique for the in vitro assessment of the ethanol-induced cytotoxicity in a human liver cell line.