[Effects of D-penicillamine on the ultrastructure of hepatocytes and state of the base substance in the liver of rats with experimental cirrhosis].

The authors examined the action of D-penicillamine on the ultrastructure of hepatocytes and the condition of the base substance in the rat's liver, with experimental CCl4-cirrhosis. (D-penicillamine was given to these rats during 4 and 6 months). It was discovered that the using of D-penicillamine on the early stages of experiment (until 4 months) reduced the process of the development of the liver cirrhosis. This fact was confirmed by the reducing of the level of base substance in the liver and reducing of the quantity of collagen in the Disse space, as well as by the absence of fibres in the intercellular spaces near sinusoid. When the D-penicillamine was given longer the increasing of the beta-NAG activity with simultaneous severe reducing of the GAG and destruction of hepatocyte's organelles in the experimental rat to the 6 months of experiment were observed. The authors consider that these data are the evidence of the negative effect of the long using of D-penicillamine in the stage of decompensated cirrhosis of the liver.