[Experimental silicosis. Analysis of collagen levels in the heart, spleen and liver of rats in experimental silicosis].

Possibilities of increasing the content of collagen in heart, spleen and liver have been tested in rats affected by silicosis induced by intratracheal administration of 50 mg of siliceous earth dust suspension. An increased level of collagen has been found in rats' hearts after 9 months, whereas in spleens after 6 and 9 months of experiment. In the liver of rats suffering from experimental silicosis, no changes which would clearly indicate the fibrosis of this organ were found. In addition, the animals administered with dust exhibited inhibited physiological growth of the body weight and liver weight.