Decreased phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells in a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG 2008-10, Vol.14 (39), p.6036-6043
• Main Authors: Tsujimoto, Tatsuhiro, Kawaratani, Hideto, Kitazawa, Toshiyuki, Hirai, Toshiko, Ohishi, Hajime, Kitade, Mitsuteru, Yoshiji, Hitoshi, Uemura, Masahito, Fukui, Hiroshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alanine Transaminase - blood; Animals; Cells, Cultured; Contrast Media; Disease Models, Animal; Fatty Liver - pathology; Fatty Liver - physiopathology; Hepatitis - pathology; Hepatitis - physiopathology; Kupffer Cells - pathology; Kupffer Cells - physiology; Liver - diagnostic imaging; Liver - metabolism; Liver - pathology; Male; Mass Screening; Microspheres; Phagocytosis - physiology; Polysaccharides; Rapid Communication; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Ultrasonography; 治疗方法; 消化疾病; 病理机制; 酒精依赖性疾病
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840
• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.6036

AIM： TO investigate Kupffer cell dynamics and phagocytic activity, using a rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） model. METHODS： Male F344 rats were fed either a control diet or a choline-deficient L-amino aciddefined （CDAA） diet, followed by contrast enhanced ultrasonography （CEUS） using Levovist. The uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was determined by fluorescent microscopy. The status of the Kupffer cells was compared between the two groups, using the immunohistochemical staining technique. RESULTS： After 4 or more wk of the CDAA diet, CEUS examination revealed a decrease in the signal intensity, 20 min after intravenous Levovist. Fluorescent microscopic examination showed that the uptake of latex beads by the Kupffer cells was reduced at week 1 and 2 in the study group, compared with the controls, with no further reduction after 3 wk. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no significant difference in the Kupffer cell counts between the control group and the CDAA group. CONCLUSION： CEUS examination using Levovist demonstrated reduced contrast effect and phagocytic activity in the liver parenchymal phase, although the Kupffer cell numbers were unchanged, indicating reduced phagocytic function of the Kupffer cells in the rat NASH model. We believe that CEUS examination using Levovist is a useful screening modality, which can detect NASH in fatty liver patients.