The Effect of an Anti-Hepatitis C Drug (Sofosbuvir) on Albino Rats Buccal Mucosa” (Histological and Immunohistochemical Study)

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of chronic hepatitis and liver lethal diseases. An average of 170 million people had been infected worldwide. The HCV has the ability to cause a chronic infection in about 70% of the cases that lead to the development of many serious liver diseases. Chronic HCV has a high rank in worldwide morbidity and global suffering. The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population proposed a national strategy to control the HCV epidemic, and promoted Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi™ by Gilead Sciences) as its primary treatment. Sovaldi™ has pan genotypic antiviral activity and a high genetic barrier to resistance, thus it resulted in high clinical efficacy and tolerability in patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, clinical evaluation reports illustrated that in any treatment combination including Sovaldi has ranging different side effects on other tissues of the body. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of Sofosbuvir on buccal mucosa in Albino rats; while the secondary aim of this study was to compare between two different treatment durations of Sofosbuvir.