EFFECT OF ALPHA-LNTERFERON ON ERYTHROCYTE AND HEPATOCYTE PLASMA-MEMBRANES DERIVED FROM CIRRHOTIC RATS

Interferons are recognized to inhibit collagen production. Since fibro sis has been associated with liver dysfunction, we investigated the ef fects of alpha-interferon on the function and lipid composition of hep atocyte and erythrocyte plasma membranes derived from CCl4-cirrhotic m ale Wistar rats. In both cell types, CCl4 decreased Na+/K+ and Ca2+-AT Pase activity and increased the cholesterol to phospholipids (CH/PL) r atio (p < 0.05). Administration of interferon (80,000 IU/kg s.c. for 8 weeks) increased survival from 40 to 90%, and preserved normal ATPase activity and CH/PL ratio. Our results show that administration of alp ha-interferon to CCl4-cirrhotic rats improves survival, and liver and erythrocyte membrane function and composition, probably as a result of its antifibrogenic effect.