Selective accumulation of rheopolyglucine and latex in liver cells and the response of liver parenchyma to acute CCl4 poisoning

Male BALB/c mice were injected intravenously with lysosomotropic agents: rheopolyglucin, at a dose of 0.5 ml per 100 g body weight, and latex particles (1.1 micron in diameter), at a dose of 0.05 ml per 100 g body weight, 1 hour before inhalation of CCl4. Using electron microscopy rheopolyglucin was detected in hepatocyte vacuolar apparatus, endothelial and Kupffer cells, while latex was found only in Kupffer cells. Both lysosomotropic agents had a weak protective effect. 72 h after the inhalation of CCl4 the size of the necrosis in the liver parenchyma was half smaller in animals preinjected with lysosomotropic agents than in mice receiving no lysosomotropic agents. Both lysosomotropic agents (especially rheopolyglucin) promoted hepatocyte ultrastructure restoration.