Effects of Acyclovir on the Cerebellar Cortex of Adult Male Albino Rats And The Protective Effect Of Zinc Sulfate (Histological and Immunohistochemical Study)

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

Anatomy & Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. for the treatment of systemic herpes infections and central nervous system infections. Zinc is a vital mineral that found in foods and consumed as a dietary supplement.
Objectives: to detect if the acyclovir affected the cerebellar cortical region, and a protective role for zinc sulfate when co-administered with it
Material and methods: sixty adult rats were used; they were divided into 4 groups: The control group received distilled water. Group II: received zinc sulfate syrup (30 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage for 2 weeks. Group 3: each rat received (432 mg/Kg) of Acyclovir suspended in distilled water by oral gavage once daily for 2 weeks. Group 4: Animals received acyclovir followed by zinc sulfate syrup. Cerebellar specimens taken and processed for histological and immunohistochemical examination.
Results:  In the group treated with acyclovir, there were significant decrease in molecular thickness and Purkinje numbers compared to control group where (p value< 0.000),no significant difference between control group and zinc ,zinc &acyclovir treated group(p value >0.5), mild decrease in Purkinje number between control and zinc &acyclovir treated (p<0.012),there increase in area% of BAX,GFAP in acyclovir group (p<0.000), in zinc &acyclovir  group (p<0.002) compared to control group.
Conclusion: The use of acyclovir can induce significant alterations in the cerebellar cortical area, and zinc sulfate may serve as a potential therapeutic counteract acyclovir-induced neurotoxicity.

Keywords

Main Subjects

SVU-International Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 8, Issue 2
July-December
July 2025
Pages 470-484

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics