INFLUENCES OF KUPFFER CELL STIMULATION AND SUPPRESSION ON IMMUNOLOGICAL LIVER-INJURY IN MICE

AIM: To study the possible involvement of Kupffer cells (KC) in immuno logical liver injury in mice. METHODS: Liver injury was induced by iv injection of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) 5 x 10(7) viable bacilli f ollowed by iv injection of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) 7.5 mu g to each mouse. Indian ink and silica were iv injected to suppress KC and retin ol was given po to stimulate KC in these mice. Plasma alanine aminotra nsferase (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 b y the activation of KC with retinol and reduced by suppression of KC w ith silica and Indian ink. CONCLUSION: The degree of liver injury indu ced by BCG + LPS is closely correlated with the status of KC, and NO f rom KC plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the liver damage in mice.