Elastin fibers formation in the liver of carbon tetrachloride-treated rats.

Elastin fibers formation was previously found to be an important feature of advanced human liver cirrhosis. Now it has been shown that chronic carbon tetrachloride administration to rats can be used to simulate this condition experimentally. Elastin fibers are found in the septa of connective tissue surrounding parenchymal nodules. Elastin content in liver measured as hydroxyproline insoluble in 0.1 N NaOH is increased about 3 times after a 4 month carbon tetrachloride treatment.