Enhancement of rat hepatic macrophages by treatment with interleukin-2 and streptococcal preparation OK432, with reference to antitumor activity, soluble factor production and Ia expression

The effect of biological response modifiers, such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and streptococcal preparation OK432, on the functions of hepatic macrophages was investigated. The macrophages, even with no exogenous stimulation, produced superoxide anion (O2-) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF), displayed cytotoxicity against K562 cells and cytostasis against P815 cells and expressed immune-region-associated antigen (Ia). IL-2 administered in vitro or in vivo enhanced O2- production by hepatic macrophages and the intravenous injection of OK432 also enhanced O2 production. Furthermore, IL-2 added to the culture medium of hepatic macrophages isolated from OK432-injected rats augmented O2- production even more. The TNF production and Ia expression of the macrophages were also increased by the intravenous injection of OK432. As with O2- production, the cytotoxicity of the cells was enhanced by OK432 injection or by IL-2 added to the culture medium and the combination of OK432 and IL-2 augmented their cytotoxicity even more. Thus, the present study suggested that IL-2 and OK432 induce the augmentation of the antitumor activity of hepatic macrophages, partly as a result of the increase in production of O2- and TNF and Ia expression.

Enhancement and hepatocyte-modulating effect of chemical mediators and monokines produced by hepatic macrophages in rats with induced sepsis

We investigated the production of chemical mediators by hepatic macrophages from rats with sepsis and the modulation of hepatocyte function by these hepatic macrophages. The chemical mediators we measured were superoxide (O2-), TNF, IL-1, and PGE2. Production of these mediators by hepatic macrophages from rats with sepsis was significantly increased. Furthermore, protein synthesis by cultured hepatocytes was inhibited in a co-culture system of hepatocytes and hepatic macrophages from rats with sepsis, and it was even inhibited by the supernatant of cultured hepatic macrophages from septic rats. These results demonstrate that hepatic macrophages are activated in sepsis and may play a role in inducing hepatic dysfunction in sepsis.

Enhancement of hepatic macrophages in septic rats and their inhibitory effect on hepatocyte function

In the present study, the function of hepatic macrophages and the modulation of hepatocytes by sepsis-elicited hepatic macrophages were investigated in rats with induced sepsis. The functional state of hepatic macrophages was determined by the following indicators: phagocytic index, protein-synthesizing capacity, and superoxide (O2-) producing capacity. These indices of changes in hepatic macrophages were much higher in rats with sepsis than in healthy controls. Moreover, the activated hepatic macrophages had some biological properties which were different from those of the resident Kupffer cells. It was found that protein synthesis by cultured hepatocytes was inhibited in the co-culture system of hepatocytes and sepsis-elicited hepatic macrophages, and that the supernatant of hepatic macrophages from rats with sepsis also reduced the protein-synthesizing capacity of cultured hepatocytes. Thus, activated hepatic macrophages may play a role in inducing hepatic dysfunction in sepsis.

Depressed function of Kupffer cells in rats with CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis

In the present study, the Kupffer cell function of rats with CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis was tested by analyzing the changes in the host defense system. In rats without liver cirrhosis injected with CCl4 for 3 weeks concomitant with the high opsonic activity the endocytic index was significantly increased. Rats treated for 9 and 13 weeks developed cirrhosis, and their endocytic indices were not increased despite the rise in their opsonic activity. Particularly, the endocytic index of 13-week-treated rats with advanced liver cirrhosis was significantly lower than that of the other groups. The organic distribution of 51Cr-endotoxin injected intravenously exhibited characteristic changes in 9-week- and 13-week-treated rats: decreased hepatic uptake and increased splenic uptake. In contrast, pulmonary uptake was increased in all CCl4-treated rats. The superoxide production by Kupffer cells from 13-week-treated rats was greatly reduced, accompanied by the decreased superoxide dismutase activity of liver homogenate. Thus, results of this study suggest that Kupffer cell dysfunction is one of the main factors affecting host defenses in liver cirrhosis.

The three different phases of reticuloendothelial system phagocytic function in rats with liver injury

In the present study, reticuloendothelial system (RES) phagocytic function of rats with partial hepatectomy or experimentally induced liver cirrhosis was investigated by determining the phagocytic index, the opsonic index, and uptake rate in liver, spleen, and lung of a 51Cr-labeled endotoxin-injected rat. In both the partially hepatectomized and the cirrhotic rats, all three indicators varied markedly according to the elapsed period since liver injury. The changes in RES phagocytic function were classified into three different phases: compromised, compensatory, and enhanced. The compromised phase, consisting of a decrease in the phagocytic index, was observed during the first 24 hr after 67% hepatectomy and in advanced liver cirrhosis. This represented the failure of RES phagocytic function. The compensatory phase, in which the phagocytic index was maintained at nearly normal levels mainly by a compensatory enhancement in the opsonic index, was seen during the first to second postoperative day and in moderate liver cirrhosis. The enhanced phase, with a high phagocytic index, was observed from Day 4 to approximately Day 14 after surgery, and in the cases of mild liver damage. In the compromised and compensatory phases, the liver uptake rate was significantly decreased compared with the control. However, the uptake in the spleen and lung were markedly increased. In conclusion, the phagocytic function of the RES was significantly affected to a degree which changed with the extent of liver damage.

[A case of portal hypertension with massive gastrointestinal bleeding from ileal varices]

A rare case of massive gastrointestinal bleeding from ileal varices was reported. On December 28, 1982, a 49-year-old male was admitted to Kurashiki Central Hospital because of massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Eleven years ago, the patient underwent an emergency operation for rupture of esophageal varices. The venous phase of selective superior mesenteric and celiac angiography showed mesenteric varices, but no definite bleeding point was noted. Endoscopy revealed esophageal varices, but no area of bleeding was encountered. Because of frequently repeated hemorrhages, laparotomy was performed. A large vein was found on the surface of the ileal wall, through an adhesion to the lateral pelvic wall. Partial resection of ileum was performed. Histological examination of the resected small bowel demonstrated ruptured submucosal varices. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on the 40th postoperative day. It is stressed that this disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis for a patient with lower gastrointestinal bleeding and portal hypertension.

Experimental study of aggression and catharsis in Japanese

28 Japanese subjects were tested to investigate how aggressive motive and TAT fantasy writing would influence provoked subjects. To examine this psychologically and physiologically subjects' changes in affect and respiration rate were measured. The results showed significant provocation and cathartic effects.

[Treatment of unresectable liver cancer with intrahepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy]

Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy was performed in 50 patients with cancer of the liver including 12 primary hepatoma and 38 metastatic cancers, at Kurashiki Central Hospital from December 1977 through December 1981. B.D. Fomocath 5 French catheter was inserted through the lateral femoral circumflex artery and advanced retrogradely to the common hepatic or proper hepatic artery using a loop catheter technique and the catheter was connected to the tube of infusion pump. The dose of 5-Fluorouracil and Mitomycin C was 250 mg per day and 4-10 mg once a week, respectively. The patients had average survival of 8.2 months in hepatoma and 4.8 months in metastatic tumor. The results were unfortunately not encouraging but this regimen occasionally provides excellent results and has no contraindication.