MORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOMETRIC CHANGES OF THE THYMUS IN 2-MONTH-OLD ALBINO RATS UNDER CHEMOTHERAPY
Keywords:
Thymus, chemotherapy, morphometry, thymic capsule, trabeculae, albino rats, histological changes.Abstract
Chemotherapy, while effective in cancer treatment, may negatively affect immune organs, including the thymus, which is essential for T-lymphocyte maturation and immune regulation. This study aimed to evaluate morphological and morphometric changes in the thymus of 2-month-old albino rats following chemotherapy exposure. Histological and morphometric analyses assessed alterations in the thymic capsule, trabeculae, vascular structures, and cellular composition. The results demonstrated significant thinning of the thymic capsule in gateway, anterior, and posterior regions compared with controls, accompanied by fiber loosening, focal destruction, and vacuole formation between collagen fibers. Trabeculae showed decreased thickness and length, as well as disorganization of collagen architecture. Morphometric evaluation revealed reduced arteriolar and venular wall thickness, indicating vascular alterations under chemotherapeutic influence. Additionally, a marked reduction in thymocyte proportion and lymphocyte number was observed in both cortical and medullary layers. These findings indicate disruption of the thymic microenvironment and suggest decreased functional activity of the organ following chemotherapy. Overall, the study highlights the susceptibility of the thymus to cytotoxic treatment and the importance of monitoring thymic integrity during chemotherapy.
References
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
