Examining fibrotic process in lung during treatment of chronic murine tuberculosis with lysosomotropic drug isonaizid

Light and ultrastructural morphometries were used to evaluate the effects of dextran-conjugated isoniazid (MW 30-40 kDa) on the morphology of chronic pulmonary tuberculous inflammation induced by BCG vaccine in mice. The revealed antifibrotic effect of the conjugated drug is accompanied by much less damage to the alveolar macrophageal ultrastructures (the mitochondrial apparatus in particular) than that of free isoniazid. It is concluded that the lysosomotropic properties imparted to isoniazid basically change its effect on fibrogenesis and are essential in the prevention of antiinflammatory pneumoscleroses.