Correction of Structural Changes in Thymus by Gentiana algida Pall Extract at Experimental Azathioprine Immunosuppression

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of Gentiana algida Pall dry extract on microanatomy of CBA mice thymus at azathioprine immunosuppression. Material and Methods. Experiments were carried out on CBA male mice. Immune deficiency was modeled by intragastrical administration of azathioprine in the dose 50 mg/kg once a day for 5 days. The G.algida dry extract in the dose 50 mg/kg was administered to animals for 15 days against azathioprine. Morphological studies of the thymus were carried out on day 21 after the azathioprine administration. The area of the thymic lobule, the cortex and the medulla; the width of the cortex; the thickness and length of the medulla; the thickness of the capsule; the density of cells in the subcapsular zone and the deep layers of the cortex were measured using the Axio Vision SE64 Rel.4.8.3 image analysis program. The cellular composition was determined in the subcapsular and central zone of the cortex. Results. The G.algida extract limited the development of involutive changes in the thymus caused by cytostatic azathioprine: the cortex area was 16% higher and medulla area 17% lower compared with the control group. The ratio of cortex and medulla in experimental group was 1.4 times higher than that in the control group. The G.algida extract increased verage density of cells by 30% in the subcapsular zone. The number of blasts and large lymphocytes increased on average by 2.0 times in the deep layers of the cortex, and in the subcapsular zone - by 4.3 and 2.4 times, respectively, compared with those in control group. Conclusions: G.algida extract limited the development of pronounced involutive processes in the thymus at azathioprin immunosuppression (increased the mitotic activity of thymocytes, reduced the severity of destructive processes and prevented the growth of adipose tissue).