Archives of Biological Sciences (Jan 2020)

The effects of intracerebroventricularly applied ghrelin on thymocytes and thymic architecture in rats of different ages

  • Todorović Jovana S.,
  • Terzić-Šupić Zorica J.,
  • Mazić Sanja D.,
  • Suzić-Lazić Jelena M.,
  • Žikić Dejan D.,
  • Nešić Dejan M.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS200416020T
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 72, no. 2
pp. 265 – 270

Abstract

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Ghrelin positively influences the total number of thymocytes and size of the thymus in 14-, 20- and 24-month-old rats. We examined the effect of centrally-applied ghrelin on thymus weight and structure in Wistar rats of different ages. The study included 30 male Wistar rats of three age groups: peripubertal (5-week-old rats), young (2 months) and adult (6 months). The animals of each age group were divided into control and experimental groups that were administered intracerebroventricularly (ICV) 1 μg ghrelin/5 μL saline daily for five consecutive days. Following treatment, the thymuses were isolated, weighed and processed for stereological analysis by the point-counting method. The average weights of the thymuses were significantly higher in the ghrelin groups with respect to control rats (5 weeks: 444.90±18.03 vs 365.00±18.63; 2 months: 354.30±13.77 vs 257.00±9.60; 6 months: 365.00±15.90 vs 225.00±7.03, p<0.01). The absolute volume of lymphoid tissue was significantly higher in the ghrelin groups (5 weeks: 392.85±16.94 vs 294.48±33.37; 2 months: 309.30±12.10 vs 216.62±10.72; 6 months: 222.70±11.41 vs. 114.33±16.48, p<0.01). Ghrelin treatment restored thymic structure by increasing medullary cellularity, improving thymic medullary architecture and providing a clearer delineation between the cortex and medulla. This study shows the positive effects of centrally applied ghrelin on suppression of thymus atrophy, its weight and architecture. [Projects of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant No. III 41025, Contract No. 175042 (2011-2014), and Grant No. 175046]

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