A Histopathological Study on the Side Effects of Large Does of Dexamethasone on Dog's Kidney
In this limited study a total of 18 stray dogs divided into one control (n=6, 3 male and 3 female) and two experiments groups (n=6). The two experiments groups were administrated daily dose of 40 and 125 microgram/kg bw of Dexamethasone intramuscularly for 16 weeks, respectively. In order to eliminate probable pathologic lesions, animals of less than a year old were used. The nutritional conditions and care were similar for all the dogs. During the treatment no changes were observed on food intake. Decreased body weight gain was observed in all treated dogs. One of the low dose treated dog died during the study (not related to treatment). At post-mortem examination extreme macroscopic changes including inflammation and paleness of kidneys were seen in dogs receiving a dose of 125 micrograms/kg bw. The renal specimens were prepared for routine histopathological study after fixation (in formalin 10% and alcohol) and staining by H&E and P.A.S method respectively. Microscopically, glomerular lesion including of mild mesangial hypercellularity, synechiae, thickened basement membranes were seen. The cause of this lesion is unknown; however, hypertension, because of its occurrence due to increased plasma glucocorticoid concentrations has been postulated.