Effect of D-Galactosamine Administration on Nucleotide and Protein Metabolism in Isolated Rat Kupffer Cells

Abstract

Nucleotide contents of isolated rat Kupffer cells apparently were smaller than those of hepatocytes. Rate of UDPGal [galactose] formation from D-galactose was much lower in Kupffer cells than in hepatocytes. Viability of the former was checked by measuring leakage of enzymes and formation of UTP from uridine. Addition of GalN [D-galactosamine] to isolated Kupffer cells did not decrease their UTP and UDPG contents as much as those of hepatocytes. The same results were obtained when cells were isolated from GalN-pretreated animals. Incorporation of labeled amino acids into protein after GalN addition was much less reduced in Kupffer cells than in hepatocytes. Kupffer cells may not contribute to GalN-induced liver injury as a result of uridylate trapping.