[Chronic lathyrism. Protective effect of pyridinol carbamate on connective tissue lesions in the rat (author's transl)].

The use of lathyric toxins (BAPN) in low dosage (1 g/kg/day) for a period of 8 weeks caused in the rat simultaneous changes in the skin and aortic connective tissues. In the skin. collagen tissue was dislocated and broken in fragments, the elastic tissue disappeared, the fibroblasts were vacuolized and presented evidence of injury. These lesions were comparable to those observed in human skin during ageing. The addition of pyridinol carbamate (PDC) to BAPN prevents the formation of lesions of the elastic tissue and of fibroblasts. When given after the cessation of the lathyrogen treatment PDC arrested the formation of the lesions and accelerated their regression.