title: [Activation of the immunologic function of rat Kupffer cells by the polysaccharides of Angelica sinensis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To observe the influence of polysaccharides of Angelica sinensis (ASP) on the immunologic function of rat Kupffer cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Normal rat Kupffer cells were treated with ASP in vitro. Absorbance at 540 nm ( A540) of neutral red absorption and supernatant NO, TNF-alpha in the cells were measured to evaluate the immunologic function of Kupffer cells; LDH leakage was measured to estimate the severity of cellular damage; Rats were given ASP 0.025, 0.1, 0.25 and 1.0 g x kg(-1) ig (qd x 7 d) in vivo. The above indices and ACP of Kupffer cells were measured, sGST and sALT activity were detected as indices of hepatotoxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ASP markedly enhanced the phagocytic activity, ACP and supernatant NO, TNF-alpha of Kupffer cells both in vitro and in vivo . The increase of sGST was observed after administration of ASP 1.0 g x kg(-1), but the LDH leakage of the hepatocytes was not increased in vitro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ASP with suitable dose could activate the function of Kupffer cells. Slight liver injury was caused by ASP 1.0 g x kg(-1) in vivo, which was likely caused by factors, such as NO, TNF-alpha, indirectly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Wuhan University Medical College, Wuhan 430071 , China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xue-yan
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Ren-xiu
authors.initials: RX
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D029971:Angelica sinensis / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000097:blood; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000410:Alanine Transaminase