[Glycocalyx changes in the pneumocytes in liver cirrhosis]

Glycocalyx was detected in pulmonary cells using colloid iron in experimental cirrhosis of the liver. In the intact animals the polysaccharide layer of even thickness was shown to be connected with the free surface of plasmolemma of type I and II pneumocytes. In cirrhosis of the liver pneumocytes undergo dystrophic changes and glycocalyx becomes thin, fragmented and absent in some areas. A macrophagal reaction directed at the elimination of the products of metabolism of pneumocytes with changed glycocalyx was detected.