The role of splenomegaly and splenic macrophage in the occurrence of hypersplenism of portal hypertension

Objective: To investigate the role of splenomegaly and splenic macrophage(MΦ)in the occurrence of the hypersplenism of portal hypertension(PHT). Methods: The changes of the quantity of ACP in MΦ, the ultrastructure of MΦ and the quantity of the blood cells phagocytized and destructed by MΦ in the spleen of PHT by the methods of immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscope were observed and compared with the normal spleen. The correlation of spleen index, the quantity of ACP in MΦ and the peripheral blood cells counts were also studied. Results: Comparing with the normal spleen, the quantity of ACP in MΦ was increased, the surface folopodia of was increased and lengthened and the quantity of lysosome in MΦ and the quantity of erythrocytes and platelets phagocytized by MΦ were increased. Spleen index and the quantity of ACP in MΦ were negatively correlated with the peripheral blood cells counts, spleen index was positively correlated with the quantity of ACP in MΦ. Conclusion: The splenomegaly and splenic MΦ could play a vital role on the occurrence of the hypersplenism of PHT.