EJMS

Abstract

Introduction: Nitrofurantoin is the most commonly antimicrobial drug used in the treatment and prophylaxis of urinary tract infections, especially acute and recurrent cystitis. Pulmonary toxicity is considred a serious and even fatal toxic effect of nitrofurantoin. Aim of Work: This study was designed to demonstrate the toxic effect of Nitrofurantoin on the lungs and the possible protective role of vitamin E in adult male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study divided into 4 equal groups: group I (control), group II (sham control), group III (nitrofurantoin treated group for 3 weeks) received 6 mg/kg body weight nitrofurantoin daily orally for 3 weeks and group IV (vitamin E & nitrofurantoin treated group for 3 weeks) received both 200 mg/kg body weight vitamin E and 6 mg/kg body weight nitrofurantoin daily orally via gastric gavage for3 weeks. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the end of the experiments and the lungs were dissected, extracted and processed for light microscopic and histomorphometric examination. Results:Light microscopic examination of group III (nitrofurantoin treated group for 3 weeks) manifested marked pathological alterations of the lung tissue, thickening of the interalveolar septa with inflammatory cellular infiltration, rupture of interalveolar septa and formation of many emphysematous air spaces. There was congestion of the blood vessels, extravasations of blood and fluid exudates. There was increase in macrophages. The histomorphometric study revealed increase in mean area % of collagen fibers and decrease in the mean area % of elastic fibers in group III which was highly significant compared to that of the control group. Concomitant administration of vitamin E with nitrofurantoin showed remarkable protection against these lung changes in group IV. Conclusion: It can be concluded that vitamin E had a protective effect against nitrofurantoin induced lung toxicity in adult male albino rats.