[Role of lipid peroxidation in the mechanism of proliferation of hepatic fibrous tissue in experimental chronic hepatitis].

In chronic hepatitis induced by long-term CCl4 administration to rats, there was largely an increase in the formation of malonic dialdehyde and Schiff bases, an elevation of glycosaminoglycans and hydroxyproline in collagen fractions, and proliferation of hepatic fibrous tissue. Therapy of CCl4-induced hepatitis with the hepatoprotective antioxidants essentiale and legalone led to decreases in the rate of lipid peroxidation, the production of glycosaminoglycans and collagen and to morphological manifestations of hepatic fibrosis. There was a moderate correlation between the indices of lipid peroxidation and hepatic fibrosis.