Histopathological Changes of Dexamethasone on Affected Lung of Rats

Background: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a long-acting fluorinated glucocorticoid, it is used as support therapy in respiratory infections unresponsive to antimicrobials alone, or in severe-to-progressive lung infections (e.g., pneumonia) to reduce allergic response. Objectives: The current study aimed to search for the most important tissue changes in the lungs after long-term DEX administration. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four adult albino rats of both sexes weighing 220–280 g were used and grouped into two sets. The first group was treated orally with DEX 10 weeks (0.1 mg/kg b.wt.) daily and the second group was treated with distilled water only as a control group. At the end of the experiment, a post-mortem examination was done for all animal groups to preserve lung pieces in 10% formalin for tissue slice preparation then microscopic examination. Results: There were marked vascular changes from congestion, dilation, and thrombus-like lesion along with inflammatory response and necrotic processing occurred. Multifocal areas of necrosis with thickening of the alveolar septa by infiltration of inflammatory cells and congestion of blood vessels with degeneration of the epithelial lining of the bronchioles are seen. Others revealed per-bronchiolitis; focal aggregation of inflammatory cells extended to the mucosa with hypertrophy of smooth muscles layer and lymphocytic bronchiolitis. emphysematous alveoli and interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells with hypertrophy of terminal blood vessels were seen. Conclusion: Lung tissue histopathological changes of oral administration of DEX were a toxicity indicator for the therapy of lung.