[Extracellular breakdown of collagen as affected by lysosomal enzymes during the involution of liver cirrhosis].

Electron microscopy and electron histochemistry (exposure to acid phosphatase) were used to study the mechanisms of extracellular degradation of collagen in the liver during involution of experimental cirrhosis. The following results were obtained: extracellular secretion of lysosomal enzymes from hepatocytes and connective tissue cells takes place in liver cirrhosis and its involution; partial hepatectomy during liver cirrhosis stimulates the activity of acid phosphatase in the liver cells; the lysosomal enzymes, excreted from hepatocytes and connective tissue cells by means of exocytosis take an active part in collagen extracellular degradation in vivo; at initial stages of cirrhosis involution extracellular degradation of collagen in the liver occurs at the expense of lysosomal enzymes from hepatocytes and connective tissue cells. Subsequently, as cirrhosis regresses, the principal role in the lysis of collagen gradually passes to lysosomal enzymes of hepatocytes.