teratogenec and cytogenetic interactions between some hypoglycaemics and diclofenac in rats

The present study was designed to determine the teratogenicityof dicIofenac sodium, metformin and tolbutamide in rats. Also, thiscurrent investigation was aimed to determine if the teratogenicity ofhypoglycaemi c drugs as metformin and tolbutamide in rats could beenhanced or reduced by eo-administration of dicIofenac sodium.6.1. Teratogenic effect:Experiments were carried out on 8 groups of animalseach of (-)pregnant female rats. The first group was kept as control, the secondwas administered with 4.5 mg/kg b.wt. of diclofenac sodiumintramuscularly. The third and the fourth groups were ad rni nistereclorally metforrnin in doses of 135 and 270 mg/kg b.wt. respectively.The fifth and the sixth groups were given tolbutamide orally indoses of 45 and 90 mg/kg b.wt respectively. The seventh group wastreated with 4.5 mg/kg b.wt diclofcnac sodium and 135 mg/kg b.wr.metforrnin. The eighth group was treated with 4.5 mg/kg b.wt.tolbutamide and 45 mg/kg b.wt. The used drugs were given dailyfrom the 6th to the 15th day of pregnancy, which is the period oforganogenesis in rats.Diclofenac sodium in dose of 4.5 mg/kg b.wt. inducedsignificant decrease in the number of fetuses, number of viablefetuses as well as highly significant increase in the number ofresorbed fetuses per mother and highly significant decrease in bodyweight and length of the viable fetuses. Diverticulum dilatation inbrain in 200/0, thymus hypoplasia in 900/0, pulmonary hypoplasia in100/0, liver enlargement in 600/0, enlargement of the kidneys in 300/0