Abstract
Background: Pregabalin (PGB) used as analgesic in treatment of neurogenic pains of chronic diseases, is considered as one of the most abused anti-epileptic drugs worldwide and it has been proved that it induces addictive behaviors. The present histopathological study aimed to identify the effect of PGB administration on cerebral cortex and cerebellar cortex, in both acute and chronic toxicity. Seventy-two male and non-pregnant female adult albino rats’ 6- to 8-week-old divided into 3 main groups of 24 rats each were studied. Group 1 represented the control group and group 2 represented the acute toxicity group, in which rats were given a single dose of PGB (5000 mg/kg) orally by gavage and after 24 hours, rats were sacrificed and examined. Group 3 represented the chronic toxicity group; were given PGB 500 mg/kg orally by gavage for 12 weeks, after which rats were sacrificed and examined. Result: Cerebral cortex tissue of acute toxicity group displayed astrocytosis and dystrophic changes, while in chronic group showed degeneration, necrosis and cellular infiltrates. The cerebellum of chronic groups showed degeneration and shrunken of Purkinje cells. Conclusion: Acute and chronic intoxication with pregabalin adversely altered the structure of cerebral cortex and cerebellum.
Histopathological Assessment of the Effect of Pregabalin Toxicity on Cerebrum and Cerebellum of Adult Albino Rats