Caspase-3 and CD68 Immunoreactivity in Lymphoid Tissues and Haematology of Rats Exposed to Cisplatin and L-carnitine

This study was performed to determine caspase-3 and CD68 activities in lymphoid tissues of rats exposed to Cisplatin (CDDP) induced toxicity and L-carnitine (L-Car) protection. Group control was received single-dose intraperitoneal (i.p.) 1 ml isotonic saline, Group L-Car received single-dose injections of L-carnitine 500 mg/kg bw. i.p., Group CDDP received a single-dose injection of CDDP 7 mg/kg bw i.p. all at once, Group L-Car + CDDP received single doses of L-carnitine 500 mg/kg bw i.p. for 10 consecutive days and following a single-dose i.p. injection of CDDP 7 mg/kg bw i.p. When compared to the control group, the numbers of total WBC were decreased while a relative increase in lymphocyte percentages was observed in the CDDP-treated group. On the other hand, relative decreases in neutrophil and monocyte percentages were observed in the CDDP-treated group compared to control group. Conversely, L-Car treatment with CDDP injections caused significantly increased the number of total WBC. Caspase-3 immunopositivity was found in varying degree in lymphoid tissues. L-carnitine supplementation to diet decreased apoptotic effect of cisplatin. CD68 positive cells were found similar in control and L-Car groups. While CD68 positivity was found in low degree in CDDP group, it was moderate in L-Car + CDDP group. It is concluded that cisplatin increases apoptosis and decrease macrophage activity in lymphoid tissues. This both effects were found especially in lymph node in high degree and thymus in low degree.