Collagen accumulation in irradiated rat lung: modification by D-penicillamine.

The collagen antagonist D-penicillamine (10 mg/day, p.o.) significantly ameliorated radiation-induced hydroxyproline (HP) accumulation in the lungs of rats killed 3, 6, 9, or 12 months after a single exposure of 25 Gy of 60Co gamma rays to the right hemithorax. The beneficial effect of penicillamine was observed when HP values were expressed on the basis of wet weight, dry weight, or per whole lung and was not accompanied by significant changes in the size of the soluble (0.5 M citrate, pH 3.6) collagen fraction. This drug regimen had no effect on HP concentration in the shielded left lung and was apparently free of deleterious side effects.