Isolation of human colonic crypts for study of xenobiotics metabolism
Schwenk, M.; Déchelotte, P.; Riemenschneider, T.
American Journal of Physiology 262(2 Pt 1): G359-G363
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9513 PMID: 1539669 Document Number: 396048
Methods allowing study of human colonic drug and carcinogen metabolism in intact epithelial preparations in vitro are needed. We describe an isolation method yielding intact colonic crypts with well-maintained ultrastructural integrity and good viability parameters. The crypt preparations obtained with this method were used to study phase I and II drug biotransformation. The colonic crypts demethylated aminopyrine and nitrosodimethylamine slowly, but the colonic carcinogen dimethylhydrazine at a higher rate. The phenolic compounds estrone, 17.beta.-estradiol, and 1-napthol were readily conjugated. In conclusion, the present method yields preparations well suited for further investigation of the role of human colonic biotransformation in carcinogenesis and drug pharmacokinetics.