Histopathological Examination of the Effects of Tocilizumab and Dexamethasone on the Liver in Rats of Oleic Acid induced Acute Lung Injury

Objective: This study, it was aimed to examine the effects of Tocilizumab and Dexamethasone on the liver in rats in which the acute lung injury model was created with Oleic acid. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male rats were used as study material and were divided into six groups as Control, OA, TCZ and DEX. All groups except the control group received OA intravenously and after OA injections other compounds were administered intravenously (DEX 0.1 mg/kg and DEX 10 mg/kg, TCZ 2 mg/kg and TCZ 4 mg/kg). Results: It was determined that hydropic degeneration increased in hepatocytes in OA+ DEX 10 group rats compared to other groups (p<0.05). Vacuole formation in hepatocytes in OA+TCZ 2 and 4 groups was found to be similar to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, necrosis in hepatocytes and narrowing of sinusoids were detected more severely in OA+DEX (0.1 and 10 mg/kg) groups. Conclusion: As a result, it was determined that high dose Dexamethasone had hepatotoxic effect. It is thought that liver function tests should be performed and evaluated to determine the hepatotoxic effects of drugs to be used in the treatment of patients with COVID/19 ARDS.