Association of galactosamine-induced hepatitis in the rat with hyperhyaluronanaemia and decreased hyaluronan uptake by the isolated, perfused liver.

Plasma hyaluronan (HA) concentration and the rate of HA uptake by the isolated, perfused liver were measured in rats treated with saline, D-galactosamine (GaI-NH2, 50 mg/100 g body wt), gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) (0.5 mg/100 g body wt), and GdCl3 + GaI-NH2. GdCl3 was given 24 hr before GaI-NH2 or saline. Plasma L-alanine:2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.2), a marker for hepatocyte damage, was increased by 8 hr and remained elevated for 24 hr after GaI-NH2 injection. GdCl3 did not affect plasma enzyme levels when given alone or in association with, but prior to, GaI-NH2. Plasma HA levels were increased (200%) within 24 hr after GaI-NH2 administration. A plateau was reached at 8 hr, which was maintained for at least 24 hr. Although GdCl3 alone did not affect plasma HA levels, it slightly delayed the increase in HA concentration in GaI-NH2-treated rats. Livers, isolated 24 hr after GaI-NH2 treatment, exhibited a severe depression (approximately 67%) of HA uptake. GdCl3 did not prevent this suppression. The data presented indicate that: (1) one of the sinusoidal endothelial cell-dependent functions of the liver, i.e. removal of HA from the blood stream, is profoundly impaired during galactosamine-induced hepatitis, and (2) the adverse effect of GaI-NH2 on this sinusoidal endothelial cell function may not be dependent on CdCl3-suppressible Kupffer cell functions.