Insulin inhibits apolipoprotein B secretion in isolated human hepatocytes

The effect of insulin on apolipoprotein (apo) B secretion was investigated in human hepatocytes. Freshly isolated hepatocytes, prepared by collagenase dispersion of liver specimens, were incubated in serum-free media in the absence and presence of 100 nmol/L insulin for 2 hours. The media was then assayed for apo B content by radioimmunoassay. In hepatocytes incubated without insulin, the secretion of apo B (relative to human low-density lipoprotein [LDL]) was 125 ± 37 ng/106 cells/2 hours. In the presence of insulin, apo B secretion was reduced to 83 ± 29 ng/106 cells/2 hours (34% inhibition, P < .05). These results using human hepatocytes are consistent with previous data from our laboratory describing insulin-dependent inhibition of apo B secretion in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes and studies by others employing the human-derived hepatoma cell line, Hep G2. We conclude that human hepatic apo B secretion is under insulin control. The role of more chronic insulin exposure requires further investigation.