CHANGES IN THE RETICULOENDOTHELIAL PHAGOCYTIC FUNCTION AFTER PARTIAL-HEPATECTOMY

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 105  (6) , 668-672
Abstract
The changes in the phagocytic function of the RES after 67% hepatectomy in rats were studied by use of 51Cr-endotoxin as the phagocytable material. The humoral opsonic index was significantly increased to .apprx. 1.2 to 1.8 (control, 1.0 .+-. 0.2, mean .+-. SD) until the 14th postoperative day. In contrast, the phagocytic index was decreased to 0.068 .+-. 0.016 (control, 0.103 .+-. 0.015) on the 1st day, then returned to the normal level on the 2nd day. In this early postoperative period, uptake rates of 51Cr-endotoxin in the liver were remarkably decreased to .apprx. 50-70% of control, whereas those in the spleen and lung were increased 2- to 3-fold of control. From the 3rd to the 14th day, the phagocytic index was significantly increased compared with the preoperative level. During this period, the uptake rates in the liver and spleen were within the normal range. The increases in the opsonic index of 67% hepatectomized rats apparently represent the homeostatic response for maintaining or stimulating RES phagocytic function, and high or normal phagocytic index, concomitant with the increase in the opsonic index, implies an enhanced or compensatory stage, respectively. The decrease in the phagocytic index despite the high opsonic index is assumed to represent a compromised stage of the RES.