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Kupffer cell functions during intestinal amoebiasis in guinea pigs
K J Virk1, N K Ganguly, R N Prasad
1Department of Parasitology, Experimental Medicine and Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Kupffer cells
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Kupffer cells are crucial in alimentary tract infections.
- Their specific role in intestinal amoebiasis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Kupffer cell functions during Entamoeba histolytica infection.
- To assess phagocytic capacity and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase levels.
Main Methods:
- Guinea pigs were infected with Entamoeba histolytica.
- Kupffer cell functions were analyzed on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 post-infection.
- Phagocytic capacity and lysosomal enzyme levels were measured.
Main Results:
- Intestinal amoebiasis depressed Kupffer cell phagocytic capacity.
- Lysosomal enzyme levels were significantly elevated.
- Maximum alterations occurred by day 14, correlating with lesion severity.
Conclusions:
- Depressed phagocytic capacity and increased enzyme release by Kupffer cells may facilitate amoebiasis establishment and tissue damage.
- Similar trends were observed in blood monocytes.