[The effect of free radicals from non-parenchymal cells (NPC) of the liver on the development of liver metastases in rat].

Tumor cells (AH130 hepatoma cell originated from rat) were injected intraportally into Donryu rats to produce liver metastases 21 days later. Phagocyte cells activity was depressed by the administration of Silica, which significantly increased the number of surface liver metastases. Phagocyte cells were stimulated by beta 1-3-glucan, which significantly reduced the number of metastases. And the administration of free radical scavenger (SOD, Catalase) increased the number of metastases. Non parenchymal cells (NPC) of the liver play a main role of self defence line for portally liver metastases. Then free radical from these cells were noticed in this study. NPC were isolated, from pronase perfused rat liver. O2- production by activated NPC was measured by chemiluminescence with CLA. NPC activated by beta 1-3-glucan added sera increased the luminescence of CLA, and SOD depressed the production of chemiluminescence. SOD activity of hepatocytes and tumor cells (AH130) were measured by NBT methods. Hepatocytes had high potential production of SOD, in contrast AH130 had poor production. These results suggest that free radicals from liver NPC was important for protecting liver metastases.