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British Journal of Experimental Pathology logoLink to British Journal of Experimental Pathology
. 1981 Aug;62(4):383–392.

Selective injury to rat liver Kupffer cells caused by beryllium phosphate: an explanation of reticuloendothelial blockade.

D Dinsdale, D N Skilleter, A A Seawright
PMCID: PMC2041677  PMID: 7295532

Abstract

The i.v. administration of suspensions of beryllium phosphate (5-50 mumol/kg) to rats resulted in the vacuolation of hepatic Kupffer cells within 3 h. After 6 h necrotic Kupffer cells were common throughout the sinusoids of the liver but no changes were detected in the hepatic parenchymal cells during this period. A significant reduction in the numbers of intrasinusoidal cells was observed 14 h after treatment but this population had reverted to normal within 24 h. The administration of colloidal carbon to treated animals at this time did, however, demonstrate a reduction in the complement of functional endocytic cells. These results demonstrate a selective destruction of endocytic cells in the liver by this particulate toxin and the limited response by the organ to this injury. These observations are the most probable explanation for the reticuloendothelial blockade known to be caused in vivo by beryllium phosphate.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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