Effects of long-term treatment of rats with ethanol, carbon tetrachloride and high fat-low protein diet on the Kupffer cell distribution with reference to chemical composition of the liver.

Rats were treated for 3-4 months with ethanol or carbon tetrachloride or kept on a high fat-low protein diet. The cell distribution of the liver was investigated with special emphasis on the Kupffer cells with reference to lipids and collagen. Lipids were increased both histologically and chemically in all groups treated. All three treatments caused an increase of Kupffer cells, especially in the high fat-low protein group. The number of Kupffer cells and the content of liver lipids were strongly correlated. Collagen rose in the CCl4- and high fat-low protein groups. Cirrhosis was observed in CCl4--treated rats only.