Histochemical and morphological identification of Kupffer cells activated by cisplatin

Cisplatin is a potent anti-cancer agent which has been shown to activate Ku pffer cells. These activated macrophages demonstrate an increase in extensi ons, lysosomes, and peroxisomes increasing their anti-tumor activity. Wista r rats were treated with cisplatin (9 mg/kg) and sections of liver were exc ised for light and electron microscopic analysis at 1, 6 15, and thirty day s post treatment. Non-specific esterase staining was used to differentiate Kupffer cells using light microscopy, morphologic criteria were used for TE M analysis. Liver sections taken 6 days post treatment showed the greatest number of activated macrophages, with the highest degree: of activation. In teraction between natural killer cells and Kupffer cells was only seen 6 da ys post treatment. These results show that cisplatin's ability to enhance t he immune system requires several days post treatment to reach maximum pote ncy.