[The effect of D-penicillamine on experimental liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4]

Abstract

Authors examined the effect of D-penicillamin (Pw) on liver cirrhosis induced by chronic CCl4 and phenobarbital (Pb) treatment in Fischer 344 rats. Morphometric analysis of quantity of connective tissue fibres did not show decrease on the effect of Pe treatment. Quantity of hydroxiproline, which is one of the parameters of coll ahen decrease, did not change significantly on effect of drug, but only compared to CCl4 and Pb treated control. Quantity of glycosaminoglycan showed increase following Pe treatment. Lymphocyte stimulation by Con-A was different in CCl4 and Pb and Pe treated groups, respectively. According to our examinations in case of liver fibrosis cirrhosis induced by CCL4-PB treatment in rats the Pe treatment proved to be unsuccessful. It seems that Pe is effective only in forms of cirrhosis accompanied by significant copper accumulation, by decrease of toxic effects of copper.