Kupffer cell ablation improves hepatic microcirculation after trauma and sepsis.

Background: Macrophages undergo maladaptive alterations after trauma. In this study, we assessed the role of Kupffer cells in hepatic microcirculatory response to endothelin-1 (ET-1) after femur fracture (FFx) and cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (200-300 g) underwent sham, FFx, CLP, or FFx + CLP.