BACKGROUND: Talc is considered an effective agent for pleurodesis often used in the treatment of malignant pleural effusion. However, its safety related to carcinogenesis is questioned. The objectives are to describe ultra-structural alterations detected in pleurae of rats submitted to talc pleurodesis aiming at assessing its safety in relation to carcinogenesis. METHODS: In this randomized study, six Wistar rats weighing 250 g were used. Through a minimal thoracotomy into the fifth left interspace, it was inserted talc in 0.5 mg concentrations (n=2) and 0.1 mg (n=2) each gram weight. Two rats were only anesthetized and a physiological solution (NaCl 0.9%)was intrapleurally inserted to represent the control group. The rats were killed after 45 days. Ultra-structural morphological and morphometric alterations were analyzed by transmission electronic microscopy. RESULTS: Ultra-structural analysis of pleurae submitted to talc has shown cellular disorganization of the conjunctive tissue evidencing nuclear, mitochondrial alterations and submesothelial spacing. The control group has maintained the cellular architecture preserved. CONCLUSION: This study revealed alterations in the cellular structure of talc-exposed pleura when compared to the control group.
Pleurodesis; Pleura; Oncogenesis; Talc; Rats
