Hepatology : official journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
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The reticuloendothelial system has been implicated in galactosamine-induced liver injury because of a correlation between phagocytic alterations induced by colloidal carbon or endotoxin, and development of liver necrosis. To evaluate this concept, the influence of galactosamine on liver function and histology was determined in rats in which the reticuloendothelial system was normal, stimulated, or depressed. Methyl palmitate was used as a reticuloendothelial system suppressant, and glucan was used as a reticuloendothelial system activating agent. ⋯ In contrast, activation of the reticuloendothelial system by glucan increased galactosamine-induced alterations in serum bilirubin, glucose and cholesterol concentrations, glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activities, and sodium sulfobromophthalein retention. Liver necrosis and inflammation were also increased. These findings suggest that the degree of galactosamine-induced liver injury is directly correlated with macrophage function when specific macrophage-modifying agents are used.