Phagocytic function in the isolated perfused rat liver. An experimental model.

An experimental model for measuring the phagocytic function of the isolated perfused rat liver is described. A progressive rise in phagocytosis was observed with increasing liver blood flow. This is due to an increase in total particle uptake by the liver with no alteration in the rate constant for phagocytosis except at the highest flow rate. Phagocytosis is substantially greater in the livers of 100-day-old rats than in 21-day-old rats, but the number of particles ingested per unit weight by the older rats is significantly less. Liver phagocytosis is shown to be both temperature- and oxygen-dependent, but independent of nutritional status and animal gender. This model may be useful for assessing the effects of drugs and toxins on hepatic phagocytosis.