Pathological Studies on the Protective Effect of a Macrolide Antibiotic, Roxithromycin, against Sulfur Mustard Inhalation Toxicity in a Rat Model

摘要

Macrolide antibiotics have been shown to protect airway epithelial cells and macrophages from sulfur mustard (SM)-induced cytotoxicity. In the current study, the efficacy of roxithromycin in ameliorating SM-induced respiratory injury was further evaluated in a rat model. Anesthetized rats (N = 8/group) were intratracheally exposed to SM by vapor inhalation. For the drug treatment groups, rats were orally given 10, 20, or 40 mg/kg roxithromycin one hr prior to exposure and every twenty-four hr thereafter. After one, three, or seven days of treatment, sections of the lung were examined and scored for histopathological parameters. Treatment with roxithromycin ameliorated many of the symptoms caused by SM in some animals. In particular, treatment at 40 mg/kg for three days showed significant improvements.