The effect of diclofenac sodium injection on stomach of male rats

Abstract EN

Objective: Diclofenac sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

It is widely used because of its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects.

The aim of this experimental study is to investigate the effects of intramuscular injection of diclofenac sodium in therapeutic and high doses for different periods on the stomach of rats.

Methods: Forty young adult male albino rats ranging from 180-220 g body weight were used.

They were divided into 5 groups of 8 animals for each.

Group A and B were the control groups, they received intramuscular injection of normal saline for 7 and 14 weeks respectively.

Group C received intramuscular injection of therapeutic doses of diclofenac sodium (2.2 mg/kg/day) for 7 weeks.

Group D received therapeutic doses of diclofenac sodium intramuscularly for 14 weeks, while group E was administered intramuscular injection of high doses of diclofenac sodium (11 mg/kg/day) for 7 weeks.

At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and the stomachs were obtained from all groups for light microscopic examinations.

Results: No changes were observed in stomachs of groups A, B and C, while in group D there were destruction of glandular architecture, damage of surface epithelium and submucosal blood vessels congestion.

Group E reveals destruction and shedding of surface epithelium, necrosis in the gastric mucosa with mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltration, in addition to submucosal blood vessels congestion, edema and hemorrhage.

Conclusions: Diclofenac sodium is safe and cause no gastric damage when administered intramuscularly as a single daily therapeutic dose in young adult rats for 7 weeks or less, but it causes gastric damage when the period of administration or the dose of the drug increase (i.e gastric damage depends on the period of exposure and the dose of the drug).