Structural changes of Kupffer cells in rat liver following experimental thermal injury

Changes in plasma haemoglobin levels and morphology of Kupffer cells were studied in rats following lethal thermal injury. Severe haemolysis was observed immediately after thermal injury. The plasma haemoglobin levels rapidly increased to a maximum level 15 min after injury and then rapidly decreased with time. However, the values were still higher 5 h after injury than those found before injury. Soon after burning the Kupffer cells phagocytized not only circulating cell debris including erythrocyte membranes and degenerate leucocytes but also large amounts of haemoglobin. The degradation of phagocytized haemoglobin was relatively slow compared to that of other cell debris. This phagocytized haemoglobin is considered to inhibit the generation of bactericidal-free radicals and to depress Kupffer cell function. The number of Kupffer cells was markedly decreased 5 h after thermal injury, and probably relates to the persistent depletion of the reticuloendothelial system function which follows lethal thermal injury. In contrast to the decreased number of Kupffer cells, a small number of monocytic cells appeared in the sinusoidal spaces and adhered to the endothelial cells. These monocytic cells may transform into Kupffer cells.