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A Mouse Model of Vascularized Heterotopic Spleen Transplantation for Studying Spleen Cell Biology and Transplant Immunity
Published on: June 11, 2019
Splenectomy reduces remote organ damage after intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Suleyman Demirel University Medical School, Isparta, Turkey. cagrisavas@yahoo.com
Purpose:
In this study, we aimed to reduce mononuclear phagocytic system (MFS) cells with splenectomy and investigate its preventive effects on lung, liver, and kidney ultrastructure and free radical generation after intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (IIR).
Method:
Forty adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups as sham laparatomy (SL), splenectomy + sham laparatomy (SSL), intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (IIR), and splenectomy + intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (SIIR). One hour of mesenteric ischaemia and four hours of reperfusion were applied. Splenectomy was performed just before reperfusing the intestine. Serum levels of malonedialdehyde (MDA) was measured, and tissue samples obtained from the lung, liver, and kidneys were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy.
Results:
Lung, liver, and kidney ultrastructures were normal in both groups of SL and SSL. In the IIR group, type 2 pneumocytes showed lamellar body degeneration, dilation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and thickening of the basal lamina. Hepatocytes showed dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial degeneration, and cytoplasmic lipid droplets. The glomerular basement membrane was thickened and the endothelial cells showed discontinuity. The foot processes of the podocytes and microvilli of the proximal tubule cells had also disappeared in the kidney. Splenectomy attenuated these ultrastructural changes in the SIIR group. In the IIR group, serum MDA level was significantly increased to 171.7 +/- 6.7 nmol/ml (p < 0.05). Splenectomy significantly reduced serum MDA level to 87.8 +/- 2.5 nmol/ml in the SIIR group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Splenectomy attenuated degenerative findings encountered in lung, liver, and kidney ultrastructure after IIR. Splenectomy also significantly decreased serum levels of MDA. The possible role of splenectomy is to reduce the MFS cells, which play an important role in the remote organ injury after intestinal reperfusion damage.
Insights
Splenectomy reduced organ damage and free radical generation following intestinal reperfusion injury. This procedure attenuated lung, liver, and kidney ultrastructural changes and decreased malondialdehyde levels.
Area of Science:
- Surgical interventions
- Organ transplantation
- Pathology
Background:
- Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (IIR) injury can cause remote organ damage.
- Mononuclear phagocytic system (MFS) cells are implicated in this remote organ injury.
- Splenectomy is a potential method to modulate MFS cell activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of splenectomy against IIR-induced lung, liver, and kidney damage.
- To assess the impact of splenectomy on free radical generation (malondialdehyde levels) after IIR.
- To explore the role of reducing MFS cells in preventing remote organ injury.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Wistar rats were divided into sham laparotomy, splenectomy + sham laparotomy, IIR, and splenectomy + IIR groups.
- Intestinal ischemia was induced for 1 hour, followed by 4 hours of reperfusion.
- Ultrastructural changes in lung, liver, and kidney tissues were examined via electron microscopy, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured.
Main Results:
- IIR caused significant ultrastructural damage in the lungs, liver, and kidneys.
- Splenectomy attenuated these IIR-induced degenerative changes in the SIIR group.
- Serum MDA levels significantly increased in the IIR group and were significantly reduced by splenectomy in the SIIR group.
Conclusions:
- Splenectomy effectively mitigated ultrastructural damage in remote organs following IIR.
- Splenectomy significantly reduced markers of oxidative stress, such as serum MDA levels.
- Reducing mononuclear phagocytic system (MFS) cell activity via splenectomy may be a key mechanism in preventing remote organ injury after intestinal reperfusion damage.
