Histological and immunohistochemical study on the rat Kupffer cell in response to short and long term ethanol administration

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed at investigating the Kupffer cells in the rat liver of both sexes in response to short and long term ethanol administration, as regards multiplicity and CD14 receptor immuno-expression and its relation to the developing damage. Forty eight male and female albino rats were divided into a control group of 12 rats and an experimental group of 36 rats including subgroups I and II [short term ethanol administration] that were given 17.5% ethanol for 1 and 3 days respectively. Subgroup III [long term ethanol administration] was given 34.2% ethanol for 6 weeks. India ink was injected into half the number of male and female control and experimental rats. Liver sections were stained with H. and E. and immunohistochemically using CD14 antibody for the receptors on the surface membrane of Kupffer cells. The count of Kupffer cells, area of CD14 immunoexpression and the optical density of CD14 immunoreaction were assessed. In subgroup II apoptotic cells and in subgroup III hepatocytes exhibiting eosinophilic material and small dark nucleus were found. The changes were in obvious in females. Kupffer cells seen in India ink injected sections revealed nonsignificant difference in their mean count in different groups and subgroups. CD14 immunoexpression appeared as darkly and lightly stained areas in male and female control rats. The immunoexpression and the immunoreaction increased in the experimental subgroups with a remarkable difference between female and male rats. A highly significant increase in the mean area and mean optical density was recorded in subgroup I versus control rats. Also in subgroups II and III versus control rats and rats of subgroup I of the same gender and in experimental female versus male rats. Short and long term ethanol administration led to activation of CD14 receptors on the surface membrane of Kupffer cells, indicating their role in initiation of liver injury