Cyclophosphamide-Induced Gastric Histopathological Alterations in Golden Hamsters

Maysoon Elrashdy; Rima Benomran; Esraa Farag; Mustafa Meelad; Hend Al-derbash; Mona Al-Amery; Hamed Saleh; Abeer Amer

doi:10.54361/ajmas.2584117

Authors

Maysoon Elrashdy Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0694-8112
Rima Benomran Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9387-3917
Esraa Farag Cytotechnology Department, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8971-2535
Mustafa Meelad Cytotechnology Department, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1284-0640
Hend Al-derbash Cytotechnology Department, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2666-4935
Mona Al-Amery Cytotechnology Department, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2850-3980
Hamed Saleh Cytotechnology Department, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4911-6544
Abeer Amer Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6174-2858

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.2584117

Keywords:

Cyclophosphamide, Gastric Mucosa, Histopathology, Golden Hamster.

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide is a widely used chemotherapeutic and immunosuppressive agent, but its gastric toxicity remains poorly characterized. This study investigated dose-dependent histopathological changes in the gastric mucosa of golden hamsters following cyclophosphamide administration. Twenty-seven adult female hamsters were divided into control and treatment groups. Animals received intraperitoneal doses of 100 or 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide on alternating days for one week. Gastric tissues were harvested, fixed in formalin, processed by paraffin embedding, and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) for microscopic evaluation. Histological examination revealed progressive mucosal damage with increasing doses, ranging from mild epithelial alterations at 100 mg/kg to severe disruption, inflammatory infiltration, and reduced mucopolysaccharide secretion at 200 mg/kg. Cyclophosphamide induces dose-dependent gastric injury in golden hamsters, underscoring the importance of histological monitoring during therapy. The model provides a relevant preclinical platform for studying chemotherapy-induced gastric toxicity.