title: The role of Kupffer cells after major liver surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Kupffer cells (KCs) are the resident macrophages of the liver. KCs have an enormous endotoxin eliminating capacity. Endotoxins play an important role in the development of systemic complications after partial hepatectomy by activating KCs. The role of KCs and endotoxins after partial hepatectomy is investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wistar rats (n = 16, 250-275 g) were randomly assigned to have 1 mL dichloromethylene-diphosphonate (CL2MDP) or 1 mL NaCl 0.9% i.v. Forty-eight hours later, all rats received a two-thirds liver resection. Twenty-four hours later, rats received at random 50 microg/kg endotoxin (LPS) in 1 mL or 1 mL of NaCl 0.9% IV. The rats were killed 4 hours after LPS or SAL infusion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CL2MDP infusion resulted in a complete KC elimination. KC-depleted rats had the lowest mean arterial pressure, the highest heart and ventilatory rate after endotoxemia. All rats were able to maintain pH in normal ranges. The KC-depleted rats after partial hepatectomy had the lowest CO2 levels and the highest levels of lactate during endotoxemia. Oxygen levels were similar in all groups. Hepatic, pulmonary, and renal mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta were decreased in KC-depleted rats. Plasma levels of TNF-alpha were significantly decreased in KC-depleted rats. Furthermore, the highest influx of macrophages and polymorphonuclear cells in the lung and kidney were measured in KC-depleted rats during endotoxemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Partial hepatectomy in KC-depleted rats result in a more pronounced endotoxin-mediated systemic inflammation and decreased synthesis of cytokines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hubert A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meijer
authors.forename: Petra G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Boelens
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nijveldt
authors.forename: Michiel P C
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Siroen
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Masson
authors.forename: Maryvonne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daveau
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scotté
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Diks
authors.forename: Paul A M
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004002:Clodronic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D006498:Hepatectomy; D007728:Kupffer Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004731:Endotoxins; D004002:Clodronic Acid