title: Autotransplantation of Spleen Mitigates Drug-Induced Liver Damage in Splenectomized Mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The spleen presents numerous functions, including the production of immunoglobulins and blood filtration, removing microorganisms and cellular debris. The spleen also has anatomical and functional relationship with the liver, but there are few studies on this topic. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of splenectomy and autologous spleen transplantation on both filtering functions of spleen and acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-two BALB/c mice were randomized into four groups: splenectomized; splenectomy and splenic autotransplantation in the greater omentum; sham operated control; and non-operated control. At day 7th, 14th, and 28th after surgery, splenic filtration was assessed by counting Howell-Jolly bodies (HJB) and pitted red cells (PIT). The animals received 400 mg/kg acetaminophen by gavage at day 28thand after 12 or 24 hours were euthanized for evaluation of splenic and hepatic morphology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The splenectomized group demonstrated reduced filtration of HJB and PIT in all analyzes, while the autotransplanted group developed progressive recovery of function after the 14th day. At day 28 after surgery the implants showed similar histology in comparison to normal spleen. Liver histology showed more intense centrilobular necrosis in splenectomized group in comparison to the others, suggesting a protective role of spleen in acetaminophen-induced liver injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Splenic implants showed structural and functional recovery, demonstrating the ability of autologous implant to rescue filtering function of intact spleen. Furthermore, the integrity of splenic function appears to influence liver morphology, since the presence of the splenic implants mitigated the effects of chemically-induced liver damage.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Parasitology , Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora . 36036-900 , Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Sabrine Teixeira Ferraz
authors.initials: STF
authors.lastname: Grunewald
authors.affiliation: a Department of Parasitology , Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora . 36036-900 , Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Alice Belleigoli
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Rezende
authors.affiliation: a Department of Parasitology , Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora . 36036-900 , Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Bárbara Bruna Muniz
authors.initials: BBM
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.affiliation: a Department of Parasitology , Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora . 36036-900 , Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Carolina de Paula
authors.initials: ACP
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.affiliation: a Department of Parasitology , Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora . 36036-900 , Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Caroline de Souza
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: a Department of Parasitology , Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora . 36036-900 , Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Erick Esteves
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: a Department of Parasitology , Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora . 36036-900 , Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Flávia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Paoli
authors.affiliation: a Department of Parasitology , Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora . 36036-900 , Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais , Brazil.
authors.forename: Henrique Couto
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Teixeira
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004908:Erythrocyte Inclusions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009336:Necrosis; D013154:Spleen / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000082:Acetaminophen
keywords: Howell-Jolly bodies; acetaminophen; liver; liver morphology; spleen; splenectomy