Objective To observe the effects of
pingyangmycin(PYM) on the histomorphology and ultrastructure of airway mucosa from the
healthy Wistar rats and explore the intervenient role of Vitamin E and Composite Salvia Miltiorrhiza (CSM)on these effects Methods Thirty Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: Group A as control group (injection of N S into peritoneal cavity); Group B received intracavitary injection of PYM; Group C received both intracavitary injection of PYM and tube feeding of Vitamin E; Group D received intracavitary injection of PYM and CSM The nasal and tracheal mucosa were taken for light microscopy(LM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) at the 1st?2nd?4th and 6th week of the experiment Results Edema and degeneration of epithelial cells manifested as expansion of endoplasmic reticula, swelling of mitochondria, disarrangement of mitochondrial crista , vesicula formation of mitochondria, reduction of mitochondria in part cells, mild expansion of perinuclear space and slight peripheral accumulation of nuclear chromatin could be seen in Group B at the end of the 1st week without necrosis or detachment of the cells At the 2nd week, there were necrosis and exfoliation of epithelial cells, rupture of cell membrane, phenomena of outflow of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula The degree of cell damage became more seriously at the 4th week and was not recovered to normal condition even 2 weeks after stopping administration of PYM The cell damages in Group C and D were significantly lighter than that in Group B and its occurrence were significantly postponed The injured cells recovered definitely after stopping PYM administration and continuous application of Vitamin and CSM for another 2 weeks Conclusions (1) The nasal and tracheal mucosa of Wistar rats can be damaged by injection of PYM and the degree of damage which become more serious with the increase of dose (2) Vitamin E and CSM can alleviate the damages of the
respiratory mucosa from Wistar rats caused by PYM Both drugs could be used to prevent respiratory tract mucosa from the damages induced by PYM in clinical