Late preventive effects on dimethylnitrosamine, thioacetamide or galactosamine-induced liver necrosis of the inhibitor of proteases, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride.

Phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) administration to rats, was effective in partially preventing liver necrosis induced by thioacetamide, dimethylnitrosamine or galactosamine, when given 6 hr after the hepatotoxins. In the case of galactosamine but not of the other necrogenic chemicals, protection was also observed when PMSF was given 10 hr after this compound. These results and previous studies from our laboratory suggest participation of protein degradation at late stages of liver injury by these chemicals.