[The effect of D-penicillamine on the metabolism of the basic substance of the connective tissue and the indices of the liver parenchyma in experimental cirrhosis in rats].

While examining the effects of D-penicillamine [correction of D-penicillin] on the formation of hepatic toxic damage in mature male Wistar rats from the stage of developing cirrhosis to that of the developed one, the author revealed a high antifibrotic activity of the drug which significantly normalized the metabolism of the major agent of the hepatic connective tissue; there was a slight improvement of parenchymal metabolism when the agent was taken for 2 months. There were apparently healthy animals in the experimental group following 4-month course of the therapy. Control rats developed hepatic damage, as evidenced by electron microscopic studies.