[Experimental research on the efficacy of terrilytin in silicosis].

Experimental silicosis was induced by quartz-containing dust administered intratracheally to Wistar male rats. Proteoclastic enzymes terrilytine was found to arrest pulmonary fibrosis, which was proved by inhibited development of silicotic granulomas and their lowered fibrosis. Terrilytine was most effective when inhaled in a dose of 0.08 PU per rat. Injected intraperitoneally, terrilytine in the dose elevated from 0.1-0.2 to 0.3 PU inhibited fibrosis developing in the presence of marked serous desquamative alveolitis. Incorporation of the enzyme in the cholesterol-lecithin liposomes prevents this side effect in the lungs. Liposomes injected intraperitoneally do not influence the development of pulmonary fibrosis in silicosis.