Introduction: Splanchnic mast cells increase in chronic liver and in acute-on-chronic liver diseases. We administered Ketotifen, a mast cell stabilizer, and measured the mast cells in the splanchnic organs of cholestatic rats. Material and Methods: These groups were studied: sham-operated rats (S; n = 15), untreated microsurgical cholestasic rats (C; n = 20) and rats treated with Ketotifen: early (SK-e; n = 20 and CKe; n = 18), and late (SK-l; n = 15 and CK-l; n = 14). Results: The cholestatic rats showed systemic and splanchnic impairments, such as ascites, portal hypertension, and biliary proliferation and fibrosis. The rats also showed a splanchnic increase of TNF-␣, IL-1 and MCP-1, and a reduction of IL-4, IL-10 and antioxidants. An increase of VEGF in the ileum and mesenteric lymphatic complex was associated with a liver reduction of TGF-1. Ketotifen reduces the degree of hepatic insufficiency and the splanchnic inflammatory mediators, as well as VEGF and TGF-ß1 levels. Ketotifen also reduces the connective tissue