THE CYTOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF ILOPROST AGAINST CARBON-TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED NECROSIS IN RAT-LIVER

The aim of this study was to investigate the cytoprotective effect of Iloprost on the liver against carbon tetrachloride induced necrosis. T he serum histamine-like activity was found to be increased when compar ed with that of controls after treatment with carbon tetrachloride for 18 weeks while prostaglandin E-2 - and leukotriene C-4 - like activit ies were unchanged. After pretreatment with Iloprost for 18 weeks the increased activity of histamine was found to be unchanged while prosta glandin E-2 - like activity was increased. It is concluded that Ilopro st protects the liver against carbon tetrachloride-induced damage and reduces the level of histamine that has a role in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension.