Influences of Kupffer cell stimulation and suppression on immunological liver injury in mice
Abstract
AIM: To study the possible involvement of Kupffer cells (KC) in immunological
liver injury in mice.
METHODS: Liver injury was induced by i.v. injection of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
(BCG) 5 x 10(7) viable bacilli followed by i.v. injection of lipopolysaccharides
(LPS) 7.5 micrograms to each mouse. Indian ink and silica were i.v. injected to
suppress KC and retinol was given po to stimulate KC in these mice. Plasma
alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT), aspatate aminotransferase (AspAT), nitric oxide
(NO), and liver tissue were examined.
RESULTS: Injection of LPS following BCG injection resulted in a remarkable
elevation of plasma NO, AlaAT, and AspAT levels, and severe liver damage. The
damages were enhanced by the activation of KC with retinol and reduced by
suppression of KC with silica and Indian ink.
CONCLUSION: The degree of liver injury induced by BCG + LPS is closely correlated
with the status of KC, and NO from KC plays an important role in the pathogenesis
of the liver damage in mice.
Keywords:
liver injury in mice.
METHODS: Liver injury was induced by i.v. injection of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin
(BCG) 5 x 10(7) viable bacilli followed by i.v. injection of lipopolysaccharides
(LPS) 7.5 micrograms to each mouse. Indian ink and silica were i.v. injected to
suppress KC and retinol was given po to stimulate KC in these mice. Plasma
alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT), aspatate aminotransferase (AspAT), nitric oxide
(NO), and liver tissue were examined.
RESULTS: Injection of LPS following BCG injection resulted in a remarkable
elevation of plasma NO, AlaAT, and AspAT levels, and severe liver damage. The
damages were enhanced by the activation of KC with retinol and reduced by
suppression of KC with silica and Indian ink.
CONCLUSION: The degree of liver injury induced by BCG + LPS is closely correlated
with the status of KC, and NO from KC plays an important role in the pathogenesis
of the liver damage in mice.