The effect of portal diversion upon function of the reticuloendothelial system and upon plasma fibronectin levels.
A previous publication suggested that for 9 weeks after portal diversion in dogs, there were no changes in reticuloendothelial function assessed by measurement of t1/2 or phagocytic index of reticuloendothelial test lipid emulsion. The present study was conducted in rats over 18 weeks. It was observed that the phagocytic index decreased and the t1/2 lengthened at 18 weeks after either portacaval shunt or portacaval transposition and that plasma levels of fibronectin were elevated four- or five-fold after either form of diversion, whilst only being elevated two-fold after sham operation. There was an increase in portacaval shunt rats in liver tissue distribution of administered lipid emulsion when tested between 6 and 12 weeks post-operatively which then returned towards normal. The activity in portacaval transposition and sham-operated rats was unaltered. These studies suggest that the delay in clearance of administered particles in portacaval shunt and portacaval transposition rats is related to the portal diversion rather than to altered blood flow and thus the finding is of relevance in patients with cirrhosis who also have significant portacaval shunting.
Hickman
R
R
Department of Surgery, Medical School, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa.
Jones
G
G
Tyler
M
M
Engelbrecht
G H
GH
D000818:Animals; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood*; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D012157:Mononuclear Phagocyte System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D010587:Phagocytosis; D011167:Portacaval Shunt, Surgical; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D005353:Fibronectins; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008055:Lipids