THERAPEUTIC EFFECTIVENESS OF CYSTAMINE AND CYSTEINE TO REDUCE LIVER-CELL NECROSIS INDUCED BY SEVERAL HEPATOTOXINS

Cystamine or cysteine administration to rats receiving dimethylnitrosamine, thioacetamide, or bromobenzene 3, 6, or 12 hr before, partially prevented the liver necrosis produced by these substances at 24 hr. In contrast, both chemicals were unable to prevent the necrosis induced by allyl alcohol and aflatoxin B1. Since at either 6 hr (dimethylnitrosamine) or 12 hr (bromobenzene and thioacetamide), most of activation of the agents and the subsequent interaction with cell constituents has already occurred, these results suggest that cystamine or cysteine protect because they alter cellular response to the hepatotoxins. The results also suggest the possible application of these chemicals in therapeutics. © 1979.