Comparative characteristics of histological changes in lung tissue in rats of different ages under conditions of hyperhomocysteinemia

Abstract

Annotation. Defeat of the respiratory system is a common phenomenon in today's conditions. Elevated levels of homocysteine (Hz) are one of the predictors of bronchopulmonary pathology. In recent years, there has been an association between its concentration in blood plasma and the risk of developing COPD, bronchial asthma, lung cancer. The pathogenesis of respiratory damage in hyperhomocysteinemia (GHz) is still being studied, but it is known to be the cause of endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, which underlie lung tissue damage. The aim of the study is to establish a comparative characterization of histological changes in the lung tissue of rats of different ages at GHz. The experimental study was performed on 64 white nonlinear male rats. During the experiment, the animals were divided into two groups – control and experimental, each of which is divided into subgroups depending on age – young (1-2 months), mature (6-8 months), old (24-26 months). Simulation of the stable GHz state was achieved by administering to rats the experimental group thiolactone Hz at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight intragastrically for 60 days. Histological specimens were studied using an SEO CCAN light microscope and photo-documented using a Vision CCD Camera with an image output system from histological specimens. Histological examinations of the lungs of young animals under GHz conditions revealed moderate destructive changes of vessels, bronchi, components of the respiratory department, which were compensatory-adaptive and reversible. Adaptive-compensatory and destructive changes of the organ were found in adult rats at experimental GHz. Older animals develop the most significant destructive-degenerative changes compared with studies of the lungs of groups of young and mature rats. The defining feature for this age group was excessive activation of fibroblasts and the development of perivascular, peribronchial, interstitial sclerosis.