The Possible Curative Role of Colchicine on Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats

Background: Pulmonary fibrotic disease is characterized by progressive replacement of the normal pulmonary tissue of collagen fibers leading to loss of transfer oxygen via alveolar spaces. Patients clinically have variable degrees of dyspnea ending in death in severe cases.Aim of the Work: This study was designed to examine the possible action of colchicine in treating pulmonary fibrosis in rats.Material and Methods: 24 male adult albino rats were allocated into 4 groups, each one containing 6 rats; GI (control), GII (colchicine), GIII (BLM), and GIV (treated group). Pulmonary fibrosis was developed experimentally by intraperitoneal (I.P) injection of BLM sulfate with 0.5 mg\kg\day 2 times weekly for three weeks. Colchicine and curative groups received the oral colchicine in a single daily dose of 1 mg/kg/day by gavage. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized, and lungs were extracted and processed for H&E sections. Other specimens were processed for examination by transmission electron microscope (TEM).Results: The BLM group showed destruction of the pulmonary parenchyma with severe damage and collapse of the alveoli, thickening of the interstitial septa, and the whole lung tissue showed severe inflammatory cellular infiltration. By electron microscope, pneumocytes were severely degenerated. The BLM group treated with colchicine showed a marked decrease in these findings.Conclusion: Colchicine can be used as a treatment for pulmonary fibrosis and reduce its histopathological changes.