The histopathologic effects on organs of desmopressin administered to rats in different doses

Objectives

Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of vasopressin. It leads to the release of vWF, FVIII-C, t-PA, P-selectin from endothelium, microthrombus and thromboembolism. In this study, the histopathologic effects of intravenous (i.v.) desmopressin given both in normal and high doses on organs of rats were studied.

Materials and methods

This study was performed in 5-month-old female rats of WISTAR type with the consent of the Ethics Committee of Experimental Animals. Three groups each consisting of 10 rats were formed. Following anesthesia and catheterization, the first group did not receive desmopressin (control). Desmopressin was administered slowly by i.v. route to group 2 and group 3 at 1.5 μg/kg and 4.5 μg/kg bolus doses, respectively. A 25 ml/kg/hour dose of 0.9% NaCl infusion was administered into each group. After 4 hours, laparatomy and thoracotomy were performed and the kidneys, pancreas, liver and heart were removed with their vessels using normal procedures (without damaging the stricture of the organs). These organs were examined histopathologically. Appearances of specimens were graded and evaluated statistically using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

Normal findings were obtained in the histopathologic examinations of the liver, kidneys and heart. But mild inflammation, vacuolization, necrosis, microthrombus, and damage of endothelium were determined in the pancreas examinations of all groups. A significant difference was found in terms of the damage of the endothelium between groups in the pancreas (group 1 < group 3 and group 2 < group 3). In addition, a significant difference was found between group 1 and group 2 (group 1 < group 2) in vacuolization. A significant difference was not found in the appearances of microthrombus, inflammation and necrosis among groups.

Conclusions

There is concern that desmopressin, used in the treatment of diabetes insipidus, may cause formation of thrombus, especially in the microvascular bed, and so this may result in disorders in the perfusion of target organs. But in our study, even though desmopressin was administered in high doses, it did not cause thromboembolic damages in several organs and capillary endothelium, and for this reason it can be used safely.