Ameliorative effects of piroxicam on anthracene-induced lung toxicity in female <i>Rattus norvegicus</i>

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 &lt; 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 &lt; 0.05) in the anthracene-administered groups. Lung width was significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.05) in experimental groups. Potential doubling time, growth factor, and cell loss factor were significantly increased (p &lt; 0.05). Carboplatin remitted micronodular pulmonary lesions, and piroxicam reduced the lesions.