Ameliorative effects of piroxicam on anthracene-induced lung toxicity in female Rattus norvegicus

Abstract

Abstract Anthracene present in cigarette smoke may cause tumors of the lungs and other organs. Hence, the therapeutic potential of piroxicam against anthracene-induced lung damage was investigated. Thirty-six female rats, aged seven weeks, were randomly divided into six groups of six rats per group and administered 100 mg/kg of oral anthracene, except the control group that received 2.5 mg/kg of water only, for a period of three consecutive weeks. After 24 hours, the rats were treated daily with different doses of piroxicam, carboplatin, and a combination of both for the next three consecutive weeks. Body weights and blood samples (2 ml) were obtained weekly. After 24 hours, the rats were euthanized with 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal sodium pentobarbitone. The lungs, kidneys, liver, and heart excised and weighed for allometric scaling significantly decreased (p < 0.05), except those treated with carboplatin and/or piroxicam. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen increased significantly in the piroxicam-treated group, whereas total oxygen consumption, heart rate, ventilation rate, lung volume, and tidal volume were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the anthracene-administered groups. Lung width was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in experimental groups. Potential doubling time, growth factor, and cell loss factor were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Carboplatin remitted micronodular pulmonary lesions, and piroxicam reduced the lesions.