The immunomodulating and antioxidant activity of fucoidan on the splenic tissue of rats treated with cyclosporine A

Cyclosporine A (CsA), a potent immunosuppressive agent, has several adverse effects on different organs including the spleen. Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from marine algae and it has numerous biological activities. The present study aimed to investigate the adverse effects of CsA on the spleen of rats and to evaluate the role of fucoidan, as immune-modulator and antioxidant substance, in the treatment of the CsA adverse effects. CsA administration to rats caused some histological degenerated changes in lymphocytes, plasma cells and neutrophils as well as it caused a reduction in CD3+ T cell expression in the spleen and in IL-2, IL6-, IFN-γ, IgM and IgG levels in the plasma. The histological degeneration was ameliorated by fucoidan treatment in variable degrees. CD3+ T cell expression and the plasma levels of IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-γ were increased by fucoidan treatment. IgM had more inhibition by fucoidan but IgG was improved. Lipid peroxidation was increased by CsA and fucoidan failed to reverse this change. Nitric oxide was increased by the high dose of CsA and was decreased after treatment with fucoidan. Glutathione was increased by fucoidan treatment. Superoxide dismutase activity was inhibited by CsA and low dose of fucoidan improved this inhibition. In conclusion CsA exerted adverse effects on the spleen tissue as shown by histological and biochemical changes. Fucoidan has immune-modulatory and antioxidant effects against CsA-induced adverse effects on the spleen tissue.