Nifedipine in rat liver cirrhosis.

Rat liver cirrhosis induced by CCl4+ethanol was employed to assess the effectiveness of nifedipine in reducing liver injury. Nifedipine reduced the severity of hepatocellular necrosis, significantly decreased Mallory bodies (p < 0.01), decreased polymorphonuclear inflammatory infiltrate (p < 0.05) and reduced perivenular fibrosis. Plasma lactic acid levels were significantly increased in the CCl4+ethanol group (p < 0.01). Lactacidaemia remained at normal values when the calcium antagonist blocker was employed. Nifedipine did not significantly alter the incidence of cirrhosis in this experimental model.