Malotilate completely inhibits CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis in rats: biochemical and morphological analysis.

Malotilate, diisopropyl 1,3-dithiol-2-ylidenemalonate, is a relatively recently synthesized hepatotrophic chemical substance. Its inhibitory effect on rat liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was biochemically and morphologically investigated for 10 weeks, since this chemical had been reported to suppress liver damage caused by CCl4 or in vitro collagenogenesis of human fibroblasts. Concomitant administration of malotilate with CCl4 completely suppressed liver cell necrosis and markedly inhibited fatty change of hepatocytes in the first three weeks of the experiment. During the six to ten weeks of the experimental period, liver cirrhosis was perfectly inhibited by malotilate. Previously established liver cirrhosis, however, could not be normalized by malotilate treatment. Precise mechanism of the inhibitory effect of malotilate on liver cirrhosis is not elucidated, but this substance is clearly effective for preventing liver cell damage and/or liver cirrhosis caused by CCl4.