Introduction: Sofosbuvir is one of the direct acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) acting on specific Hepatitis C virus (HCV) target proteins which are important for virus replication and assembly. Sofosbuvir can be used alone or combined with ribavirin which is a purine nucleoside analogue with antiviral activity against a wide range of RNA viruses. Ribavirin has a little antiviral activity against HCV when used alone.
Aim of Study: The present study aims at investigating the histopathological effect of sofosbuvir as compared to sofosbuvir used in combination with ribavirin on submandibular salivary glands of adult male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: 21 male albino rats were classified into 3 groups. Control group consisting of 5 rats, group A consisting of 8 rats which received sofosbuvir at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 5 weeks and group B consisting of 8 rats which received sofosbuvir at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day and ribavirin at a dose of 30mg/kg/day for 5 weeks. At the end of the experiment, submandibular glands were dissected and examined histologically and by immuno-fluorescent microscope.
Results: The submandibular salivary gland in rats treated with sofosbuvir (group A) showed degenerative effects, while those in group B showed more degenerative effects. Immunofluorescent expression of immunoglobulin M (IgM) was more pronounced in group B as compared to group A.
Conclusion: Treatment with sofosbuvir had a degenerative effect on submandibular gland which got worsen when used in combination with ribavirin. In addition, the immunoglobulin M expression was clear-cut in the group received both drugs.