Dose-Dependent Pulmonotoxic Effects of Favipiravir in Rats Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluation

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Aim: This study is to investigate the effect of favipiravir on dose-dependent lung toxicity in rats biochemically and histopathologically. Materials and Methods: Experimental animals were divided into four groups as healthy (HG), 100 mg/kg favipiravir (FAV-100), 200 mg/kg favipiravir (FAV-200), and 400 mg/kg favipiravir (FAV-400). Favipiravir was administered orally by gavage to the animal groups at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively. In the SG group, it was administered by gavage only distilled water (0.5 ml). This procedure was repeated twice daily for a week. Results: Our biochemical results showed that Favipiravir dose-dependently increased endogenous oxidant parameters such as Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS), Total glutathione (tGSH), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) demonstrated that antioxidants decreased in rat lung tissue. In histopathologically, interstitial pneumonia and lymphoid hyperplasia were mild in the 100 mg/kg dose of favipiravir group, while it was severe at high doses. Conclusion: As the dose of favipiravir increased, the oxidant levels increased and the antioxidant level decreased in the lung tissues of the rats. In line with these results, it was observed that favipiravir caused a dose-dependent pulmonotoxic effect in rats.