THE EFFECT OF PENTOXIFYLLINE ON ULTRASTRUCTURAL PICTURE OF TYPE-II ALVEOLAR EPITHELIAL-CELLS AND GENERATION OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES DURING CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE-INDUCED LUNG INJURY

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline (PTX F) on the production of reactive oxygen species in the rat lungs after intraperitoneal (i.p.) cyclophosphamide (CP) administration (150 mg/k g b.w.) and to draw a correlation between the morphological changes an d biochemical findings. Morphological examinations were based on ultra structural analysis in the transmission electron microscope. It was fo und that single i.p. CP administration caused destructive changes, par ticularly within mitochondria and lamellar bodies of type II alveolar epithelial cells (EP II), and within blood vessels of interalveolar se pta. The changes were accompanied by an increase in the MDA (malondial dehyde) level in lung tissue homogenates. The animals receiving PTXF CP showed normalization of MDA level and minor damage to EP II confin ed to alterations in lamellar bodies of EP LI. The vascular changes ob served after i.p. CP administration were manifested in endothelial swe lling and accumulation of neutrophilic granulocytes, monocytes and in the later period blood platelets within the capillaries of interalveol ar septa. The cells were tightly attached to endothelium. The changes in the vascular system were accompanied by a significant decrease in t he activity of antioxidant enzymes (Cu,Zn-SOD and GSSG-R) in the blood serum collected from the left ventricle of the heart. In the animals given PTXF + CP, a higher decrease was revealed in the activity of the se enzymes. Ultrastructural examinations found morphological signs of a facilitated flow mainly of cellular elements, through the vessels of the interalveolar septa of the lungs.