Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of
formaldehyde on lung and protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl
ester against these toxic effects. Methods: For this purpose, 21 male
Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The rats in Group I
comprised the controls, while the rats in Group II were injected with
formaldehyde (FA). The rats in Group III received CAPE daily while
exposed to formaldehyde. After the treatment, lungs tissues were
evaluated by microscopic examination. Results: In the microscopic
examination of FA group, fatty and cellular infiltration in the
pulmonary interstitium and thickening in the bronchiolar wall were
evident. Dilatation and congestion were prominent in the alveolar
septal vessels. In FA+CAPE group, dilatation of interalveolar septal
vessels was less observed than FA group. Bronchial wall structures are
similar with control. Conclusion: It was thought that FA exposure
leads to inflammation and injury in lungs. CAPE shows protective and
anti inflammatory activity against these adverse effects