Rapid separation of isolated hepatocytes or similar tissue fragments for analysis of cell constituents

A simple device is described for the rapid centrifugal separation of isolated hepatocytes or similar tissue fragments from the suspending medium. Rapid separation is essential if meaningful information on the concentrations of cell constituents and their distribution between cell and suspension medium is to be obtained. The usefulness of the technique is illustrated by measurements of hepatocyte constituents (glutamate, aspartate, alanine, K+) which show large concentration gradients against the extracellular medium.