Protective effects of curcumin on spleen parenchyma in rats treated with dexamethasone

Prolonged use of corticosteroids like dexamethasone reduces immune cells through oxidative stress, leading to splenic parenchymal changes such as reduced size and relative volume densities of white pulp areas. Curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric, may protect against these effects. This study evaluated the spleen's parenchymal changes in male rats after dexamethasone and curcumin administration, emphasizing white and red pulp areas. Twenty-six male Wistar rats (aged two months) were studied. The control group received standard chow and water (n=6), while experimental groups were administered dexamethasone or dexamethasone with curcumin (n=20). Dexamethasone was injected daily at 0.6 mg/kg for 14 days, and curcumin was given orally at 200 mg/kg. Rats were sacrificed on days 7 and 14. Spleens were processed and stained using hematoxylin and eosin, and histo-morphological changes were quantified using Fiji Image J. Dexamethasone administration led to significantly lower white pulp volumetric density [0.34 vs. 0.26, p=0.002] compared to the controls. The ratio of white pulp to red pulp volumetric density decreased significantly [0.64 vs. 0.51, p<0.001], with these changes becoming more pronounced by day 14. The red pulp volumetric density remained relatively unchanged (p=0.256). Curcumin administration alongside dexamethasone lessened the white pulp damage, with white pulp volumetric density on day 14 showing no significant difference compared to the control [0.35 vs. 0.34, p=0.887]. Thus, dexamethasone significantly impacts the spleen's white pulp with minimal effects on the red pulp. Curcumin mitigates dexamethasone-induced white pulp damage.