Effects of inhibition of Kupffer cell and splenectomy on thioacetamide-induced hepatic injury

AIM: To examine the effects of inhibition of Kupffer cell and splenectomy on intestinal endotoxemia and hepatic injury. METHODS: The hepatic injury model was established by treatment with thioacetamide (TAA). At the same time, inhibition of Kupffer cells by intravenous GdCl₃ and splenectomy were performed. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), TNF-α, endotoxin content and phagocytic index were observed. RESULTS: In the TAA+GdCl₃ group, and TAA+splenectomy group, the endotoxin content was significently higher than that in normal and TAA group (P<0.05). The plasma TNF-α, ALT and total bilirubin were significantly lower than those in TAA group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of Kupffer cells and splenectomy increase plasma endotoxin level, but decreases the plasma TNF-α levels and alleviates the hepatic injury induced by TAA.