Experimental Papers
Copyright ©The Author(s) 1996. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Dec 15, 1996; 2(4): 215-217
Published online Dec 15, 1996. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v2.i4.215
Effect of aging on Kupffer cell membrane phospholipid function: Modulation by vitamin E
Wen-Bing Sun, Kun Li, Rui-Liang Ma, Ben-Li Han
Wen-Bing Sun, Kun Li, Rui-Liang Ma, Ben-Li Han, Hepatobiliary Surgery Center, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 630038, China
Wen-Bing Sun, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Vice Surgeon-in-Charge, having 38 paper published
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Correspondence to: Wen-Bing Sun, PhD, Associate Professor of Surgery, Hepatobiliary Surgery Center, Southwest Hospital, the Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 630038, China
Telephone: +86-811-5318301-42317
Received: July 7, 1996
Revised: July 25, 1996
Accepted: October 10, 1996
Published online: December 15, 1996
Abstract

AIM: To investigate the mechanisms leading to the disordered response to aging liver Kupffer cells (KCs).

METHODS: The effects of aging on KC membrane signal transduction and eicosanoid production and their management with vitamin E (VE) were assessed by measuring inositol phospholipid (PI) metabolism, intracellular calcium responses, and prostaglandin Ea-2 (PGEa-2) production in response to the inflammatory signals endotoxin (LPS) and platelet activating factor (PAF).

RESULTS: Aging resulted in a significant alteration in signal transduction of PAF as both PI turnover and calcium response were significantly reduced in the 18- and 24-mo old groups, compared with the 6 mo-old group. Aging significantly reduced PGEa-2 production in response to LPS. VE pretreatment resulted in an increased PI turnover, calcium response and PGEa-2 production.

CONCLUSION: The aging KCs have a disordered membrane phospohlipid function and VE is an effective modulator on it.

Keywords: Liver/cytology, Phospholipids, Calcium, Prostaglandin, Vitamin E, Aging