Thymus structural and ultrastructural damages at Wistar rats after epirubicin administration


Abstract Title: Thymus structural and ultrastructural damages at Wistar rats after epirubicin administration
Authors: Horga Adeline Larisa, Mariasiu Teodora, Popa Laura Cristina, Hermenean Anca
Affiliation: Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dental Medicine, “Vasile Goldis” Western University, Arad, Romania
Abstract text: The Epirubicin is a frequently used cytostatic drug in the anti-cancer chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the administration of the drug is accompanied by side effects which mainly affect the lymphoid organs. In this experiment, we have analyzed the Wistar rats’ thymus structural and ultrastructural changes for 24 hours after the epirubicin 3 consecutive administration and the ability of its morphological recovering after 10 days of finished treatment. The 24 hours thymus histopathological and electron microscopy examination after epirubicin last dose administration demonstrated the installations of some major structural changes. Toxic action of cyclophosphamide is directed mainly on organs with intense cell divisions, including thymus, which is an organs characterized by a profound alteration of cell and vascular components: cell depletion (by blocking mitotic divisions) with massive depopulation followed by fibrosis, sanguine stasis and vascular congestion, perivascular oedema and sometimes haemorrhagic focals. Spleen morphological alterations, although profound, are transitory. Since 10 days from the epirubicin therapy ending, the spleen starts to recover, a fact demonstrated mainly by the compensatory hematopoiesis launching. In conclusion, the immune system normal morpho-functionality resume represents a drug therapy cancer reoccurring.
Keywords: epirubicin, thymus morpho-functional damages, reversible side effects
Presentation type: Oral
Correspondence: no. 1 Feleacului St., Arad, Romania
Email: horga_adeline@yahoo.com