BACKGROUND: To test the possible protective effect of tocopherol in a developed model of lung injury induced by doxorubicin in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four males Wistar rats weighing between 250-350g were submitted to one of the four treatment groups. Group 1 received intragastric serum (IG) and endovenous serum (EV); group 2 received tocopherol IG (400 UI) and serum EV; group 3 received serum IG and doxorubicin EV and group 4 received tocopherol IG and doxorubicin EV. After death, the pulmonary unit of each rat was histologically analyzed. RESULTS: The microscopical findings had been previously established (congestion, hemorrhage and necrosis). Group 1 (control) did not present any important finding. Group 3 (doxorubicin) presented damages, which were previously established. Group 4 (doxorubicin and tocopherol) and group 2 (tocopherol) had presented important damage, but they did not differ statistically (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Tocopherol could have some effect in the reduction of the interstitial damage, once it has been used for cardiac protection. However, we did not find differences in damages previously established. The preliminary findings had not evidenced to be the Vitamin E, a protective substance of pulmonary damages produced by the doxorubicin in rats, in the managed dose. However, a larger number of rats may be required for scientific evidence of this hypothesis.
Tocopherol; Vitamin E; Doxorubicin; Adriamycin; Lung; Lung Injury
