Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the antifibrotic effect of pentasubstituted cyclohexanol derivative 1 in an experimental rat model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin. Methods. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in rats by a single intratracheal administration of bleomycin. Animals in the experimental group received the synthesized compound 1 intragastrically at a dose of 50 mg/kg once daily for 2 weeks, starting 1 week after bleomycin administration. Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to assess general histomorphometric characteristics, Masson’s trichrome to detect fibrosis and identify collagen fibers, and Gomori’s silver impregnation method to visualize reticulin fibers. The grade and stage of pulmonary tissue fibrosis were assessed. Results. In the group treated with compound 1, the mean area of fibrotic lung lesions was significantly smaller than that in the control group. In the control group, the histological pattern of fibrotic tissue was characterized by a relative predominance of mature type I collagen in areas of pulmonary tissue fibrosis. In the group treated with compound 1, the histological pattern of fibrotic tissue was characterized by a predominance of resorbable immature type III collagen fibers (reticulin). Chronic active inflammation was detected in 100% of cases in the control group. In contrast, no active chronic inflammatory process was detected in any case in the group treated with compound 1. Conclusions. Compound 1 used in this experimental study exhibits antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects and improves the locoregional histoarchitecture of lung tissue. Keywords: pentasubstituted cyclohexanol derivative, pulmonary fibrosis, bleomycin, blood rheology, hyperviscosity.