Adverse effects of ingredients available in single nasal decongestant formulation at trachea and lungs on an experimental rat model

Abstract

Background and Aim: There is little histologic data concerning effects of nasal decongestants on respiratory tract. We aimed to put forth the effects of mostly used ingredients of nasal decongestants on trachea and lower airways of rats. Materials and Method: Four-six months old 60 male rats were randomly categorized into 6 groups. Experimental drugs were applied to the same nostril twice daily for 8 weeks (Xylometazoline, Benzalkolyum, EDTA, Sorbitol and combined drug solution). Normal saline solution (NaCl % 0.9) applied for the controls. At the end, trachea and both lungs were dissected and kept in formaldehyde for histopathologic evaluation. Results: Inflammation and bronchial edema were most common findings. All rats in sorbitol group had increased numbers of type 2 pneumocytes. Eighty percent of BAC group had increased numbers of type 2 pneumocytes. Spillover of tracheal epithelium was seen mostly in sorbitol, EDTA and combined drug groups (60%, 87.5%, 50% respectively). Bronchial smooth muscle hypertrophy was seen mostly in BAC and EDTA group (70%, 62.5% respectively). Number of goblet cells showed significant difference between control-combined drug (p=0.025) and control-BAC (p=0.001) groups. Conclusion: Nasal decongestants might have adverse effects such as increased airway inflammation, edema, type 2 pneumocyte numbers and epithelial desquamation mostly.