Lysosomal enzyme activity in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells from intact and partially hepatectomized rats.

Using hepatectomized rats it was shown that immediately after partial liver removal (PLR) the Kupffer macrophages were accumulated in liver remnant. At the maximal mitotic activity (36 hours following PLR) the relative amount of Kupffer cells keeps low, but 72 hours later turns out to be higher again. The periodic changes of the Kupffer cell amount in hepatectomized rats are accompanied by remarkable increase (1.5-3 fold) of free and total lysosomal enzyme activity (acid DNA-ase, acid RNA-ase, cathepsin D). The activation of the Kupffer macrophage lysosomes goes ahead of labilization of hepatocyte lysosomal membranes. The blockade of mononuclear phagocyte system by means of carbonate iron overloading in the early prereplicative period leads to an as long as 10-12 hours retardation of hepatocyte proliferation. The role of Kupffer macrophages in reparative liver regeneration is discussed.