FORMAZAN FORMATION IN HEPATIC MACROPHAGES AFTER NITRO BLUE TETRAZOLIUM PERFUSION INTO RAT LIVER

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Abstract
When nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) was perfused into rat liver, blue formazan deposition did not develop, but faint deposition was seen in non-parenchymal cells in the periportal and midzonal areas after addition of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) to the perfusate. In rat liver treated with Corynebacrerium parvum, the perfusion with NBT and PMA produced remarkable formazan deposition in non-parenchymal cells throughout the liver, although deposits were not found in the absence of PMA. Cells showing the deposits were positive also for non-specific esterase staining. Formazan produced from NBT can be detected in hepatic macrophages in vivo with the liver perfusion technique; the extent of deposition may reflect their ability to produce superoxide anions.