EJMS

Abstract

Background: Amiodarone (Cordarone) is a benzofuran derivative, which is increasingly used in the management of a number of cardiac conditions as angina and refractory ventricular arrhythmia. It is a first-line antiarrhythmic drug but it has significant side effects on many organs, for example it affects lung causing potentially fatal pulmonary complications as inflammation and fibrosis. Aim of the work: The present work was designed to investigate the effect of the toxic dose of amiodarone on the histological structure of the lung and the possible beneficial effect of vitamin E in rats. Material and Methods: The present study was carried out on thirty adult albino rats, ten in each group. The animals will be divided into three main groups; Group I (control group), Group II (received daily dose of 60mg/kg body weight of amiodarone for six weeks), Group III (vitamin E- treated group, which received vitamin E orally in a daily dose of 100 mg/kg body weight with the same dose of amiodarone). The lungs of all rats were removed for investigation using light microscopic study. Immunohistochemical study using anti-CD68 for showing alveolar macrophages was also performed and the number of positively stained cells was morphometrically estimated and statistically analyzed. Results: Light microscopic examination of the lung of group II showed severe damage in the lung tissue in the form of collapsed alveoli, cellular infiltration with thickening of interalveolar septa, and collagen deposition. Intrabronchial cellular debris and vascular congestion were also observed. There was increased number of macrophages as proved by the morphometric study. Co-administration of vitamin E with amiodarone in group III showed a considerable degree of preservation of the pulmonary alveolar architecture. Conclusion: Administration of toxic dose of amiodarone in rats can induce severe lung damage. Concomitant administration of vitamin E effectively protected the lung tissue.