HISTOLOGICAL AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF LONG TERM TREATMENT WITH AMADOL (TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE) ON THE LINGUAL

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Amadol (Tramadol hydrochloride) on the lingual mucosa of male albino rats through histological examination of their lingual mucosa to detect any structural changes, scanning electron microscopic examination of their lingual mucosa to detect any ultrastructural changes and immunohistochemical localization of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
Materials and methods: Thirty adult male albino rats divided into 2 group. Group I (10 animals) served as control. Group II (20 animals) received Amadol (tramadol hydrochloride) in daily oral dose of 60 mg/kg body weight using metallic curved oropharengeal tube for 4months. Results: The light microscopic examination of the tongue of the rats treated with Amadol drug showed degenerative changes that involved the surface epithelium and lamina propria of their lingual mucosa. The immunohistochemical results of the tongue of Amadol group showed weakly positive PCNA staining reactivity of the nuclei of the basal and parabasal cells of the surface epithelium. Scanning electron microscope results indicate the histological and imunohistochemical results, as showed marked degenerative changes of dorsal surfaces of the tongue.
Conclusion: Tramadol prescription, after weighing its risks and benefits, should be used with limits and under supervision.