Cadmium (CdCl2) is one of the most
prevalent environmental and biologically hazardous
toxicants among metals. This study was carried out
to evaluate the ameliorative role of Grape seed
extract (GSE) on CdCl2 induced spleen toxicity in
adult male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats
were equally divided into 4 groups. Group I
(control); group II, administered GSE at dose 100
mg / kg bw/ day dissolved in distilled water; group
III, administrated Cadmium chloride (CdCl2) at a
dose of 4.4 mg /kg bw /day dissolved in distilled
water; and group IV, co-administrated CdCl2 and
GSE in the previous doses. Treatments were given by
gavage for 3 months. Then rats were sacrificed and
specimens were taken for biochemical, histological
and immuonhistochemical studies. CdCl2
administration increased spleen level of MDA and
decreased CAT, SOD GPx, GSH and plasma TAC.
Also CdCl2 up regulated mRNA expression of IL1,
IL6, TNF, NFκB and down regulated IL10, C0X-2.
The treatment with GSE adjusted the alterations in
all these parameters. Histological findings of the
spleens from the CdCl2 group showed thickening in
the wall of the blood vessels, congestion, hemolysis,
intracellular edema, depletion in the splenic follicles,
and lymphocytic infiltration in the red pulp under the
splenic capsule in comparison to control group.
Also, the immunohistochemical finding showed
higher expression of Bax and lower Ki76 in the
spleens from CdCl2 group in comparison to control
group. However, appropriate improvement of
histological and immunohistochemical features of
the spleens from CdCl2 + GSE group could be
detected. In conclusion, this study suggested that
concomitant use of GSE with CdCl2 proved to be
capable of ameliorating CdCl2induced splenic