Gender-related rat gl. thymus and spleen changes under the influence of Sodium valproate

Abstract

Introduction. In recent years the antiepileptic drug Sodium valproate (NaVP) attracted attention of many investigators as a promising antitumour agent and immunomodulator. NaVP also acts as immunomodulator affecting immunocompetent cells in various pathologies. Most of investigations are performed on circulating in peripheral blood lymphocytes or on cell culture. Changes in T lymphocytes numbers and properties may occur in gl. thymus, a central organ of immune system and spleen after treatment with NaVP. Gl. thymus is a place where T cells precursors permanently proliferate and mature. Mature and immunocompetent T cells leave the gl. thymus through blood and lymphatic vessels and migrate to peripheral lymphoid organs. The aim. In our investigation we tested hypothesis if influence of NaVP on gl. thymus and spleen is related to gender. Methods. Six male and six female Wistar control intact rats and the same number of Wistar rats of both genders aged 8 weeks were investigated in the following groups (n=6 each): treated with NaVP, male orchidectomised and female ovariectomised, male orchidectomised and female ovariec-tomised and treated with NaVP. The intragastric single daily 300 mg/kg dose of NaVP (valproic acid sodium salf, Sigma-Aldrich) administration was given for 4 weeks. On the 8th week, the study rats after anaesthesia were decapitated and their gl. thymus and spleen weight and morphological changes were assessed. Results. A comparison of gl. thymus weight of orchidectomised male rats and of orchidectomised male rats treated with NaVP showed a significant gl. thymus weight loss after NaVP exposure (0.66±0.098 vs. 0.43±0.08, p<0.05). [...].