Abstract
The effect of Laennec (human placenta hydrolysate) on CCl4-induced acute or chronic liver injury in rats was examined. In the acute liver injury induced by CCl4, 0.5 ml/kg for 4 days, intravenous injection of Laennec increased total protein and decreased nonesterified fatty acid in the liver. Subcutaneous injection of Laennec inhibited the decrease of liver phospholipid by CCl4 administration. Both intravenous and subcutaneous injections of Laennec inhibited the increases of serum transaminase (GOT, GPT) levels caused by CCl4. Furthermore, intravenous Laennec inhibited the increase of serum alkaline phosphatase level. Pathological examinations of the liver indicated that both intravenous and subcutaneous injections of Laennec inhibited the loss of cytoplasma and nuclei, vacuolation, swelling and necrosis in the centrizonal hepatocytes caused by CCl4. Intravenous and subcutaneous injection of Laennec also inhibited the increases of GOT and GPT levels in rats with chronic liver injury caused by CCl4, 0.5 ml/kg for 7 weeks. Both intravenous and subcutaneous injections of Laennec minimized the pathological changes of the liver by CCl4 such as vacuolation, necrosis and swelling of nuclei, but did not inhibit the formation of pseudolobules. Thus, no therapeutic difference was noted between intravenous and subcutaneous injections of Laennec.
