Evidence for enhanced secretory function of hepatic macrophages after long‐term ethanol feeding in rats

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Abstract
— Rats were pair‐fed nutritionally adequate liquid diets, containing ethanol as 36% of energy or an isocaloric amount of carbohydrate for 4–6 weeks. Ruffle formation of hepatic macrophages in the periportal area observed with a transmission electron microscope (which reflects their extent in activation) was more remarkable in ethanol‐fed rats than in control rats. The ability of hepatic macrophages to produce superoxide anions assessed in situ by formazan deposition after liver perfusion with nitro‐blue tetrazolium and phorbol myristate acetate was enhanced after such ethanol feeding. A similar result was seen 24 h after withdrawal of ethanol feeding. These findings suggest that long‐term ethanol consumption may activate hepatic macrophages in secretory function.