Effect of sulfur mustard on the epithelial cell necrosis of urinary duct of kidney in rat

Kidney is a high vascularized organ which can be affected by sulfur mustard. Sulfur mustard causes tubular necrosis and urinary epithelial cell sloughing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cellular and tissue damages in rats exposed to sulfur mustard.

This experimental study was performed on 100 rats. 10 mg/kg was assigned as the desirable dose which rats could live at least 10 weeks while receiving it. 2.5 and 5 mg/kg were also assigned as doses in which tissue changes were studied. Tissue changes were evaluated after 2, 14, 28 and 56 days in 12 experimental groups (3 groups for each time period each one receiving one of the 3 mentioned doses). 4 natural groups (one for each time period) received no injection and 4 control groups only received Tyrode’s solution. Prepared slides of all groups were compared and histological changes were evaluated. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s Post-hoc test by SPSS 13 software.

Data of this study revealed no remarkable difference between natural and control groups. Tubular necrosis and urinary epithelial cell sloughing were observed in all experimental groups. The rate was statistically significant only in group which received 10 mg/kg sulfur mustard for 56 days compared to the control group.

Exposure to sulfur mustard cause tubular necrosis and urinary epithelial cell sloughing in rats and its increase in statistically significant in rats receiving 10 mg/kg for 8 weeks.