Histological study of the effect of ciprofloxacin on the secretory acini of sublingual gland of albino rats

ABSTRACT

Ciprofloxacin is a synthetic fluroquinolone antimicrobial agent with a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity widely prescribed as the drug of choice to effectively treat certain infectious diseases. This work aimed at studying histological and ultrastructural changes of the secretory structures of the sublingual gland of rats following administration of ciprofloxacin. 30 adult male Sprague-Dawely rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into 3 groups; a control group received the diluent of the drug, a single dose group [group II] received 200 mg ciprofloxacin/kg body weight and group III in which animals received 40 mg/kg body weight/day for 21 days. Administration of the drug resulted in inflammatory and degenerative changes in both groups; yet, these changes were much more aggravated in group III. The mucous and serous elements as well as the secretory striated ducts of the sublingual glands showed cellular vacuolation, mitochondrial degeneration, and endoplasmic reticulum dilatation in group II rats. In group III, beside the previously described changes, many nuclei were irregular, dark and shrunken. The cytoplasm of some cells revealed rarefaction. Other cells showed densely packed organelles, irregular basement membrane and distortion of basal striations of the secretory striated duct. These changes were attributed to the toxic effect of prolonged ciprofloxacin administration on the nuclear and mitochondrial DNA, compromise of mitochondrial membrane and altered lysosomal membrane permeability. Ciprofloxacin caused a damaging effect that was reflected on the structure of the sublingual gland. Cautious use of ciprofloxacin and other antimicrobial agents should be considered in order to minimize their side effects