ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Purpose To assess the influence of prolonged cyclosporine use on the macro- and microscopic morphology of the spleen. Methods 16 adult rabbits were divided into two groups (n = 8): group 1 - a placebo group, which was followed-up over a period of nine months; group 2 - which had taken an oral dose of cyclosporine (10 mg·kg-1·day-1) over nine months. At the end of this period, the splenic histoarchitecture of all animals was evaluated and the splenic corpuscles were measured. Results The spleens of the first group presented normal characteristics and dimensions. The second group, however, had a reduction in all dimensions and its tissue texture had become soft. The white pulp and the perivascular sheath had become reduced in size and the number of lymphoid follicles had also fallen (p = 0.002), manifesting less splenic corpuscles (p = 0.0012) and lymphocyte nuclear pigments (p = 0.03). Conclusions Prolonged use of cyclosporine reduces the spleen size, transforming it into a soft organ associated with a decrease in white pulp, perivascular sheath, lymphoid follicles and nuclear pigments in rabbits.
Subject(s)
Animals , Spleen , Cyclosporine , RabbitsABSTRACT
Abstract Purpose: To evaluate and compare the effects of homologous and heterologous PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) on the quality and speed of skin wound healing, compared to Poor Platelet Plasma (PPP). Methods: Twenty-one male adult rabbits were used; two for preparing homologous PRP, with the rest of them separated randomly in three groups, according to the treatment received: PPP - control (n=5), homologous PRP (n=7), heterologous (n=7). Excisional skin wounds were made on the back of the animals, for the application of homologous and heterologous PPP and PRP. At the 14th post-operative day (POD), the animals were subjected to a new wound, and the treatments were inverted. The wounds were evaluated macroscopically and histologically. Results: A larger percentage of scar retraction was observed on the group treated with heterologous PRP, compared to homologous PRP, at the third POD, an increase of 25.03% (p=0.01). No other statistically significant differences among treatments were observed. Among every group, skin healing was efficient, without local adverse effects. Conclusions: Heterologous PRP contributed with more tissue retraction at the beginning of the wound healing process. After this, there were no differences on the wound healing skin process treated with PRP or PPP. However, our findings suggest the presence of others plasmatic factors, besides platelets, which could also contribute to the wound healing process, and thus, should be further investigated.