Ameliorative Effect of Zinc Chloride in Azathioprine Induced Reduction in Body and Testes Weight in Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant drug which is used to inhibit the body's rejection of transplanted tissues, autoimmune diseases, and cancers treatment. It may causes reduction of the body and organ weights and toxicity can be made better by the anti-oxidant zinc chloride. Objective: This study was planned to find out the effects of azathioprine on the body and testes weights and the ameliorative role of zinc chloride.Material and Methods: This experimental study was conducted in the department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January 2016 till January 2017. Sixty male adult albino rats of three to four months of age were chosen for this study and distributed into three equal groups A, B and C. They were further divided into four subgroup for 1st, 3rd, 6th and 8th weeks of the treatment. Group A served as control, received only injection 0.9 % normal saline, group B received inj. Azathioprine 15mg/kg body weight and group C received inj. azathioprine plus inj. zinc chloride 1mg/kg body weight. The route of injection was intraperitoneally daily. At the end of respective period of treatment initial and final body and testes weights were recorded.Results: Rats of control groups gained statistically significant average body and testes weights throughout experimental procedure. Azathioprine treated showed overall decrease in the body and testes weights as compared to control. Azathioprine plus zinc chloride treated group showed increase weights but comparatively less as compared to control.Conclusion: Zinc chloride played an ameliorative role against azathioprine-induced changes in body and testes weight of the albino rats.