Modification of D-galactosamine-induced liver damage in rats by intravenous injection of newly isolated intact splenic cells.

In rats of an inbred F344/DuCrj line, simultaneous injection of newly isolated intact splenic cells (derived from normal rats of the same strain) markedly modified and reduced the liver damage induced by treatment with D-galactosamine. When rats treated with D-galactosamine plus newly isolated intact splenic cells were compared with those treated with D-galactosamine alone, the former showed less atrophy of the liver, a smaller decrease in serum albumin, and lower serum levels of GOT, GPT, LDH, and total bilirubin, suggesting that the escape of these liver components into serum, which occurs when the liver is damaged, was suppressed in the former group. This effect was not observed when mitomycin C-treated splenic cells were injected. These results suggest that intact splenic cells injected intravenously play an important role in mediating the mechanisms responsible for repair of liver damage.