ABSTRACT
The esterase patterns of isolated parenchymal liver cells of rats consisted of 6 bands of enzymatic activity, whereas the patterns of iron-loaded Kupffer cells showed 5 bands. Both patterns become simpler in the early prereplicative period of liver regeneration. Dukring simultaneous replication of DNA, i.e. 24 h after partial liver removal, an additional band of esterase activity appears in patterns of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. At the moment of maximum hepatocyte mitotic rate, i.e. 36 h after partial hepatectomy, both esterase patterns lose the single band of activity again. 2 or 3 days after surgery the initial esterase patterns in hepatocytes return whereas the patterns of Kupffer cells remain incomplete.
Subject(s)
Esterases/metabolism , Isoenzymes/metabolism , Kupffer Cells/enzymology , Liver Regeneration , Liver/enzymology , Animals , Electrophoresis, Starch Gel , In Vitro Techniques , Kinetics , Male , RatsABSTRACT
Using hepatectomized rats it was shown that immediately after partial liver removal (PLR) the Kupffer macrophages were accumulated in liver remnant. At the maximal mitotic activity (36 hours following PLR) the relative amount of Kupffer cells keeps low, but 72 hours later turns out to be higher again. The periodic changes of the Kupffer cell amount in hepatectomized rats are accompanied by remarkable increase (1.5-3 fold) of free and total lysosomal enzyme activity (acid DNA-ase, acid RNA-ase, cathepsin D). The activation of the Kupffer macrophage lysosomes goes ahead of labilization of hepatocyte lysosomal membranes. The blockade of mononuclear phagocyte system by means of carbonate iron overloading in the early prereplicative period leads to an as long as 10-12 hours retardation of hepatocyte proliferation. The role of Kupffer macrophages in reparative liver regeneration is discussed.
