The effects of aminoacetonitrile and its derivative on components of hepatic connective tissue in rats with chronic hepatic injury.

Aminoacetonitrile (AAN) and its derivative, p-carboxyphenylglycyl-aminoacetonitrile (p-CPGAAN) were given to rats with chronic liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride and their effects of the components of the hepatic connective tissue were studied. 1. Both AAN and p-CPGAAN markedly inhibited an increase in the amount of collagen in injured liver and in addition these agents interferred with an increase in the amount of hepatic glycosaminoglycans, particularly of the sulfated fraction. 2. In the AAN-treated group, such side effects attributable to AAN as loss of the body weight, depilation and exostosis were observed and an increase in the hepatic collagen solubility was also noted. However, no apparent side effect was found in the p-CPGAAN-treated group, and there was no difference in the solubility profile of hepatic collagen between the p-CPGAAN-treated and control groups. 3. It is assumed that p-CPGAAN has an action to prevent the hepatic fibrosis via a mechanism different from that of the lathyrogenic action.