Radiotherapy Enhances Kupffer Cell Function and Modifies the Spleen Macrophage Clearance

Fernando Pereira de Faria1,2, Andy Petroianu2*, Paula Peixoto Campos3, Marcela Guimarães Takahashi de Lazari3, Jony Marques Geraldo4 and Clara Bicalho Nascimento4

1Department of Nuclear Energy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
2Department of Surgery, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
3Department of General Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil
4Radiotherapy Center of the Luxemburgo Hospital, Brazil

^*Correspondance to: Andy Petroianu 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.2867

Abstract

Introduction: Although the effects of X-ray irradiation, used in megavoltage radiotherapy are wellknown, literature investigating their influence on the cell defense system is still scarce. Objective: To verify the Kupffer cell and splenic macrophage clearance function after megavoltage X-ray irradiation. Method: Fourteen adult male Wistar rats were distributed into three groups: group 1 (n=6) - nonirradiated; group 2 (n=4) - irradiated animals, studied after 24 h; group 3 (n=4) - irradiated animals, studied after 48 h. Animals were anesthetized and irradiated with 8 Gy of X-ray in the abdominal region. A colloidal carbon solution was injected in the left internal jugular vein (1 ml/kg); after 40 min, the livers and spleens were removed for histological analysis of the phagocytosis by Kupffer cells and splenic macrophages. Kupffer cells and splenic macrophages containing pigments in consecutive microscopic fields were then counted. Averages obtained for each group were compared among the three groups. Results: An increase in the number of Kupffer cells containing colloidal carbon pigments in irradiated livers, as well as damage to hepatocytes and bile ducts, was observed. In the spleen, the uniform distribution of the colloidal carbon pigments in red and white pulps shifted to the presence of black pigments inside the macrophages of the marginal zone in the two irradiated groups. Conclusion: X-ray irradiation is associated with an increase in the function Kupffer cells, and shifts the splenic macrophage clearance without being linked neither to apparent morphological changes nor to the necrosis or apoptosis of splenic cells.

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Cite the article

de Faria FP, Petroianu A, Campos PP, Takahashi de Lazari MG, Geraldo JM, Nascimento CB. Radiotherapy Enhances Kupffer Cell Function and Modifies the Spleen Macrophage Clearance. Clin Surg. 2020; 5: 2867.