Effects of hexamethylene tetramine on lung tissue macrophages in rats exposed by two different doses of sulfur mustard

­Inhalation of sulfur mustard (HD) gas causes inflammation of airways and bronchioles. Macrophages are phagocytic cells which spread out all over the body tissues. Hexamethylenetetramine [HMT] has been shown to protect human lung cells against HD and phosgene. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of HMT on macrophages of the lung tissue in the rats infected by two different doses of HD.

42 male rats with weighs of 200±20g were randomly divided into 8 groups of NS, HMT, HD1, HD2, Pre1, Pre2, Post1 and post 2. HD1, Pre1 and Post1 groups received 0.5 % HD, HD2, Pre2 and Post2 groups received 0.25% HD and NS groups received Normal Saline (as endotracheal) and HMT group received 7.5mg/kg of this medicine (as intra-peritoneal). 5 groups of HMT, Pre1, Pre2, Post1 and post 2 received the medicine for 14 days. Results­:­ Results of the counting of macrophages revealed significant increase in the number of macrophages in HD groups comparing with NS group. In addition, macrophages significantly increased in the HD1 comparing with HD2. Macrophages significantly increased in HD1&Pre1 comparing with HMT group. Macrophages significantly decreased in Pre and Post groups comparing with HD groups.

HMT have therapeutic and protective effects on the lung tissue against HD.