Abstract: Introduction:Bleomycin is a chemotherapeutic agent commonly used to treat curable diseases such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The major limitation of bleomycin therapy is the pulmonary toxicity. Pirfenidone is a modified phenyl pyridine that has an antioxidant, anti-transforming growth factor and anti-platelet derived growth factor effects. Aim of the study: to evaluate the histological, immunohistochemicaland biochemical changes in the pulmonary alveoli of adult male albino rats after intake ofbleomycinand the possible role of pirfenidonein minimizing these changes. Material and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided equally into 4 equal groups; the first group (control), the second group that received bleomycinfor 10 days, the third group that received pirfenidonefor 10 days and the fourth group that received pirfenidone& bleomycinfor 10 days. The lungs were dissected out, processed and lung sections were stained with Hx&E, Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemicaly. Then they were examined by light microscope for histological and immuno-histochemical study to evaluate the structure of pulmonary alveoli. Biochemical measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were also performed. Results:Bleomycintreatment in the second group induced alveolar inflammation, interstitial pulmonary inflammation and pulmonary alveolar fibrosis, while pirfenidonesignificantly reduced these induced lung injuries in the fourth group rats that treated with pirfenidoneand bleomycin. These protective effects were associated with a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the levels of MDA, and TNF-α associated with a significant (P<0.05) increase in the levels of GSH-Pin the homogenate of lung tissue compared with the second group. Conclusion: The present study showed a protective effect of pirfenidoneon the structure of pulmonary alveoli subjected to bleomycinintake. So intake of pirfenidonewith bleomycinis advised for treatment ofpulmonary alveolar toxicity.Abstract: Introduction:Bleomycin is a chemotherapeutic agent commonly used to treat curable diseases such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The major limitation of bleomycin therapy is the pulmonary toxicity. Pirfenidone is a modified phenyl pyridine that has an antioxidant, anti-transforming growth factor and anti-platelet derived growth factor effects. Aim of the st...Show More
