Liver Structure after Administration of Autophagy-Modifying Drugs in Mice with Experimental Skin Melanoma

Morphological changes in the liver were evaluated in mice with implanted B16 skin melanoma after chloroquine and lithium carbonate administration. In mice treated with lithium carbonate, lower volume and numerical densities of degenerative and necrotic lesions were revealed. In mice treated with chloroquine, the number of degenerative and necrotic changes did not differ from that in the pathological control group (mice with tumors). The numerical density of binucleated hepatocytes was higher in the chloroquine-treated group. In tumor-bearing mice treated with either chloroquine or lithium, collagen deposits were detected in the portal triads. The administration of autophagy inducer lithium carbonate promoted intracellular regeneration of hepatocytes. Chloroquine, a well-known autophagy blocker, did not affect the development of hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, but stimulated the cell regeneration. Collagen deposits were found in all studied groups.