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In the experiment where rats were fed a diet with phytosterols and alkylglycerols for 1,5 months, changes were observed in morphometric parameters in the liver structure in rats. In animals, which were fed a diet with 20% replacement of the fat component (lard) on phytosterols (stanols derived from rapeseed and conifers), blood circulatory disorders of the liver were observed. There was dilatation of the lumens of the central veins and hepatic veins in the interlobular vascular bundles. On the periphery of the lobules, around the vascular bundles, abundant clusters of lymphocytes were revealed. In both groups of rats fed a diet containing various amounts of alkylglycerols obtained from Berrytenthis magister liver (7 and 50 mg per day) and lard as a fat component, in peripheral areas of hepatic lobules the reticuloendothelial cell count was increased as compared with the control group of animals fed a diet containing as fatty component a mixture of lard and sunflower oil (1:1). These cells contained polysaccharides in the cytoplasm and formed thin bands along the hepatic tubules. In addition, in all groups of rats receiving diets with lipid components (both stanols and alkylglycerols), the occurrence of reticuloendothelium proliferation foci in the middle and central zones of liver lobules were 1,8, 2,3 and 2,1 fold higher than in control group. As compared to control animals, the foci in the above groups contained 1,8, 1,7 and 1,6 fold more cells. Furthermore, the number of animals with reticuloendothelium proliferation foci in the groups receiving investigated lipid components was also increased by 2 fold, as compared to controls.

The effect of the preparations produced from needles and wood of various coniferous species on the activities of L-phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL; EC 4.3.1.5) and peroxidase (PO; EC 1.11.1.7), the enzymes involved in the development of plant defense response, was studied. It was demonstrated that treatment of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) primary leaves with biological preparations produced from coniferous plants caused a transient increase in PAL and PO activities. The induction of these enzyme activities depends on the concentration of preparations and plant immune status. The results obtained suggest that coniferous metabolites are of interest as a source of plant extracts with the elicitor effect, increasing the resistance of plants to phytopathogens and adverse environmental factors.