Abstract: To prove that increased bile salts cause the hepatic resticuloendothelial cell dysfunction, collagenase perfusion of the liver and isopycnic sedimentation in a two step Percoll gradient were used to isolate Kupffer cells of wistar rats. After a period of culturing, glycochenodeoxycholate(GCDC) of different terminal concentrations was added respectively. Measuring of MTT, neural red phagocytosis and concentrations of TNF in supernatants was examined to determine how GCDC affect the activity, phagocytic function and TNF release of Kupffer cells. When the concentration of GCDC was less than 25 μmol/L, GCDC had little effect on cultured Kupffer cell. But if GCDC concentration was beyond 50 μmol/L ,functions of Kupffer cells were inhibited significantly by GCDC in a concentration dependent manner. Therefore, the inhibiting function of the bile salts to Kupffer cells probably plays an important role in development of obstructive jaundice.

Key words: Kupffer cell, bile salt, function inhibitio