Changes in hepatic collagen produced by chronic intoxication of rats with ethanol.

It was decided to study the effect of chronic intoxication of rats with ethanol on collagen content in the liver, its solubility, and molecular polymorphism. It was found that treatment of rats with 10% ethanol instead of drinking water for 6 months resulted in a 50% increase of collagen content in livers of the investigated animals. Significant changes in quantitative relationships between types I, III, and V collagens were observed. Proportional amounts of type III and V collagens were higher and type I collagen was lower in comparison to those in control rat liver.