Role of Kupffer cells in acute exercise-induced intestinal mucosal lesionsin rats

This study investigated the phagocytic function of Kupffer cells, and parti cularly their role as the first immunocompetent cells to come into contact with gut-derived lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the acute exercise of rats. e r livers were collected and examined for the phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells. We also measured the plasma endoall intestine, and measured plasma corticosterone and thyroxine (T4) as mediator of macrophage phagocytosi Female Fischer 344 rats were run on a treadmill at 21 m/min for 60 min on a 15% grade toxin concentration in the superior mesenteric vein, examined th e structure of the sm(70% maximal oxygen uptake), after being injected with latex particles. Thereafts. Latex particles were observed in the hepatic sinusoid and an increase in th e number of latex particles phagocytosed by each Kupffer cell was noted. Th e plasma endotoxin concentration in the superior mesenteric vein was signif icantly higher in the exercise group than in resting rats, when it was note d that the small intestine was damaged by the exercise. Plasma corticostero ne and T4 levels were unchanged. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the increase in phago cytosis by Kupffer cells was induced by endotoxemia of portal blood that wa s caused by intestinal mucosal lesions resulting from the acute exercise.