The structural changes of the rat's lung induced by intraperitoneal injection of 5-fluorouracil.

OBJECTIVE To record the main structural changes in the rat's lung induced by administration of 5-fluorouracil. METHODS The case-control study was conducted at College of Medicine, Mosul, Iraq, from December 2012 to June 2013. Two groups of 6 rats each were used. The experimental group was given 20 mg of 5-fluorouracil in 2 ml normal saline per kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection for 7 consecutive days, while the other group was given 2 ml normal saline per kg body weight intraperitoneally for 7 days and served as the control group. Specimens of lung tissue of the two groups were taken and prepared for light microscopic examination. RESULT Structural changes were found in the experimental (5-fluorouracil) group compared to the controls, including abnormal alveolar duct, sac, and terminal bronchioles with emphysematous changes in most of the alveoli in addition to peribronchiolitis, perivasculitis, inflammatory cells infiltration and interstitial fibrosis. CONCLUSION 5-fluorouracil has toxic effects on the lung tissue resulting in emphysema and interstitial fibrosis.