Mitigating Effect of Vitamin C on Favipiravir-Induced Adverse Effects: Pathological, Biochemical, and Molecular Insights in Rat Tissues.

Document Type : Original Article

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1 Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt, 44511.

2 Department of Pathology Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,Zagazig University Zagazig , Sharkia, Egypt.

Abstract

In this study, the mitigating effect of vitamin C with an anti-covid-19 drug (Favipiravir) had been assessed through the pathological, biochemical and gene expression changes in rat tissues. Thirty-six rats were split randomly into 6 groups, Group 1: water control, Group 2: were given 150 mg/kg vitamin C, Group 3: administered 200 mg/kg favipiravir, Group 4:  received 400 mg/kg favipiravir, Group 5 were given 200 mg/kg favipiravir + 150 mg/kg vitamin C and Group 6:  received 400 mg/kg favipiravir + 150 mg/kg vitamin C. Histopathological examination showed that favipiravir caused various lesions in the examined organs, including  thickening of the interalveolar septa, inflammatory edema and necrosis in the lungs, microsteatosis and multifocal necrosis in the liver and variable degrees of degeneration in the renal tissues. However, when vitamin C was given along with favipiravir, the severity of these lesions was greatly reduced.In addition, coadministration of vitamin C with favipiravir reduced hepatic function markers (alanine transaminase ALT, aspartate aminotransferase AST, and C-reactive protein CRP), and renal function markers (urea and creatinine), while simultaneously elevating antioxidant levels (total antioxidant capacity) and decreased oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde in liver and kidney tissues compared to groups that were exposed to favipiravir only. Splenic tissues' gene expression revealed a decrease in NF-kb, TNF, and IL6 when animals were given vitamin C and favipiravir in comparison to favipiravir only. In conclusion, administration of vit C with favipiravir can alleviate the negative consequences induced by treatment with favipiravir only.

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