Role of Kupffer cells in the release of nitric oxide and change of portal pressure after ethanol perfusion in the rat liver.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the role of Kupffer cells during the increase of portal vein pressure caused by ethanol. We measured nitric oxide (NO) in the perfused rat liver using a commercial NO meter. Ethanol perfusion increased NO release and portal vein pressure. Gadolinium chloride pretreatment reduced the increase in portal vein pressure during the early phase of ethanol perfusion, but did not affect the release of NO after ethanol infusion. These findings suggest that Kupffer cells play an important role in liver microcirculation during the early stage of ethanol intake, but that the mechanism may not be regulated by NO.