[Biochemical and clinical studies on the influence of 2-mercaptopropionylglycine on liver cell function (author's transl)].

2-Mercaptopropionylglycine was used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis. The drugs showed very good clinical results. In biochemical studies it was found that there was no effect on phosphate transport. Instead, there was an increase of reactive SH-groups sensitive to oligomycin in the membrane of rat liver mitochondria. The ATPase activity in mitochondria was diminished, while ATP-contents of the mitochondrial suspensions were increased by the drug. In the presence of ATP-MG++ there was an increase of oligomycin-sensitive contraction of the mitochondria. In aged mitochondria, the P/O ratios were improved. Reversal of electron transport with formation of NADH by succinate in the presence of rotenone and ATP was, concentration dependently, improved by MPG. Thus, MGP obviously acts at some specific sulfhydryl groups of the mitochondrion. It is concluded that the action of the drug in chronic hepatitis may be interpreted via an improvement of mitochondrial function.