Alveolar lesions induced by systemic administration of cocaine to rats.
In this work, alveolar lesions induced after systemic administration of cocaine (30 mg/kg per day, i.p.) to rats were evaluated both by light microscope analysis for morphological assessment as well as by measurement of the alveolar area as a quantitative index of the alveolar damage. Rats were examined after different times of exposure: 7, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days. The histopathological evaluation of cocaine-treated rats revealed a remarkable thickening in some interalveolar septa, with interstitial hemorrhages, progressive thrombosis and transformation of reticular and elastic fibers into diffuse fibrosis. A significant decrease of the alveolar area was also observed. These findings are indicative of severe changes in capillaries, alveoli and bronchiole after cocaine exposure, which in turn may progressively disrupt the general function of the lungs. Differential mechanisms of systemic toxicity after cocaine exposure are discussed.
Barroso-Moguel
R
R
Laboratory of Cellular Neuromorphology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico DF, Mexico. abels@fournier.facmed.unam.mx
Villeda-Hernández
J
J
Méndez-Armenta
M
M
Santamaría
A
A
Galván-Arzate
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D003042:Cocaine