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

作　　者：Tatsuhiro Tsujimoto Hideto Kawaratani Toshiyuki Kitazawa Toshiko Hirai Hajime Ohishi Mitsuteru Kitade Hitoshi Yoshiji Masahito Uemura Hiroshi Fukui 

机构地区：[1]Third Department of Internal Medicine,Nara Medical University,840 Shijo-cho,Kashihara,Nara 634-8522,Japan [2]Department of Endoscopy and Ultrasound,Nara Medical University,840 Shijo-cho,Kashihara,Nara 634-8522,Japan

出　　处：《World Journal of Gastroenterology》2008年第39期6036-6043,共8页世界胃肠病学杂志（英文版）

基　　金：Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology of Japan,No.19590784

摘　　要：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 acid-defined (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.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.

关 键 词：Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis Kupffer cells Contrast enhanced ultrasonography LEVOVIST Ultrasound contrast agent Phagocytic activity 

分 类 号：R575.1[医药卫生—消化系统]