N Hammadi Jasim - Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Chemistry, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
D Adel Kareem - Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
M. F Majeed AL Ali - Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
B. A Abbas - Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq

Glucocorticoids have a wide range of pharmacological activities. Generally speaking, the steroid drugs, such as dexamethasone (DEX) can have severe side effects on the histology of different organs. In fact, glucocorticoids have been known as powerful medicines which can cure inflammation and work with the immune system to treat a wide range of health problems. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of DEX on the histological changes of the liver and kidney, as well as blood biochemical parameters. In total, ۱۳ specific pathogen-free male Lepus cuniculus rabbits aged ۸-۱۰ months old, with a mean weight of ۱.۱۲±۰.۱۳ kg were randomly divided into three groups. Group I (n=۳) did not receive DEX, and they only received saline solution as a placebo (control). In Group II (n=۵), the animals received ۰.۲۵ mg DEX/kg body weight/day for a period of ۵۶ days, and the animals in Group III (n=۵) received ۰.۵ mg DEX/kg body weight/day for ۵۶ days. Blood was aspirated from the rabbit's marginal ear vein. All blood samples were centrifuged at ۳۰۰۰×g for ۱۰ min to separate serum samples. Blood lipids and trace elements (zinc, copper, calcium, and iron) were measured. The microscopical analyses of the liver and kidney tissues were performed through the observation of the histological changes in the tissues. The results showed a significant (P≤۰.۰۵) decrease in the body and organ weight, as well as serum concentrations for the trace elements. On the other hand, lipid profile showed a significant increase (P≤۰.۰۵) in cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein. However, a significant decrease was recorded in high-density lipoprotein in both treated groups with DEX, compared to the control group. The results of the histological evaluation showed some degrees of degeneration, necrosis, cell vacuolation, and lymphocyte infiltration in the kidney and liver tissues in the treatment groups.

Dexamethasone, Essential Mineral, Histology, lipid profile