Background: Cisplatin has a major antitumor effect against a broad range of solid tumors. Yet, its clinical use is limited by its harmful effects especially on the nervous system.
Aim of the Work: Assessment of the effect of cisplatin on histological structure of cerebellar cortex and the possible protective role of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) versus citrullus lanatus juice.
Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were assigned to a group of four: Control group, group I: received cisplatin (10 mg/kg) on the 6th and 13th days of the study via intraperitoneal (IP) injection, group II: received G-CSF (50 μg/kg) for five consecutive days via subcutaneous injection then received as group I, group III: received cisplatin as group I as well as citrullus lanatus juice (4 ml/kg) daily for 16 days via oral gavage. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Cerebellar biopsies were processed for light microscopy using H&E and immunohistochemical stains (glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) & caspase-3) as well as for electron microscopy. Morphometric and statistical studies were done for number of Purkinje cells, thickness of granular layer, area percent of GFAP positive cells and optical density of caspase-3 positive cells.
Results: Group I showed significantly high MDA and significantly low GSH levels, shrinkage, distortion, deep staining of disarranged Purkinje cells with nuclear pyknosis, swollen mitochondria with destroyed cristae and dilated Golgi apparatus. Separated granule cells were shrunken with dark irregular nuclei. Results were confirmed by morphometric and statistical studies. These changes were ameliorated in both group II and III with great extent in group II than in group III.
Conclusion: G-CSF could improve cisplatin induced cerebellar cortical changes better than citrullus lanatus juice.