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Thromboxane A₂ from Kupffer cells contributes to the hyperresponsiveness of hepatic portal circulation to endothelin-1 in endotoxemic rats

Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina

Submitted 14 June 2004 ; accepted in final form 30 September 2004

We examined the role of thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) in LPS-induced hyperresponsiveness of hepatic portal circulation to endothelins (ETs) and whether Kupffer cells are the primary source of TXA₂ release in response to ET-1 in endotoxemia. After 6 h of LPS (1 mg/kg body wt ip) or saline (control), liver was isolated and perfused with recirculating Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer at a constant flow rate (100 ml·min^–1·kg body wt^–1). ET-1 (10 pmol/min) was infused for 10 min. Portal pressure (PP) was continuously monitored during perfusion. Perfusate was sampled for enzyme immunoassay of thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂; the stable metabolite of TXA₂) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. ET-1 infusion resulted in a significantly greater increase of PP in the LPS group than in controls. Both TXA₂ synthase inhibitor furegrelate (Fureg) and TXA₂ receptor antagonist SQ-29548 (SQ) substantially blocked enhanced increase of PP in the LPS group (4.9 ± 0.4 vs. 3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 2.6 ± 0.6 mmHg for LPS alone, LPS + Fureg, and LPS + SQ, respectively; P < 0.05) while having no significant effect on controls. GdCl₃ for inhibition of Kupffer cells had similar effects (4.9 ± 0.4 mmHg vs. 2.9 ± 0.4 mmHg for LPS alone and GdCl₃ + LPS, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, the attenuated PP after ET-1 was found concomitantly with significantly decreased releases of TXB₂ and LDH in LPS rats treated with Fureg, SQ, and GdCl₃ (886.6 ± 73.4 vs. 110.8 ± 0.8 vs. 114.8 ± 54.7 vs. 135.2 ± 45.2 pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.05). After 6 h of LPS, Kupffer cells in isolated cell preparations released a significant amount of TXA₂ in response to ET-1. These results clearly indicate that hyperresponsiveness of hepatic portal circulation to ET-1 in endotoxemia is mediated at least in part by TXA₂-induced receptor activation, and Kupffer cells are likely the primary source of increased TXA₂ release.

isolated liver perfusion; furegrelate; SQ-29548