Modified citrus pectin modulates splenic immune responses and galectin expression following cisplatin treatment in Wistar rats

Abstract

Modified citrus pectin (MCP), a polysaccharide from citrus fruits, modulates galectin-3 (Gal-3) and immune responses. Although MCP exhibits notable immunomodulatory effects, its role in drug-induced splenic and systemic toxicity remains unexplored. This study investigated the effects of MCP modulation on splenic immune remodeling and galectin expression in a rat model of cisplatin-induced toxicity. Wistar rats were divided into four groups ( n = 5 animals/group): control (SHAM), MCP (100 mg/kg/day for 7 days), cisplatin (CIS, 10 mg/kg/day for 3 days), and MCP + CIS. Spleens were collected 6 h after the final cisplatin dose. Cisplatin induced splenic structural disorganization and selectively reduced nitric oxide levels without broadly affecting antioxidant enzymes. Cisplatin treatment was associated with increased CD3⁺ T cell labeling and enhanced tissue expression of Gal-1, -3, and − 9. MCP administration did not restore splenic architecture but promoted increased hemosiderin deposition in the red pulp, suggestive of enhanced erythrophagocytosis and altered iron handling, and markedly reduced CD3⁺ T cell immunoreactivity. MCP associated with cisplatin also reduced Gal-1 and Gal-3 levels and altered the relationship between galectins and splenic immune cell populations. Correlation analyses revealed positive associations between Gal-1, -3, and − 9 and CD68⁺ macrophages, as well as a selective association between Gal-3 and CD3⁺ T cells, exclusively in MCP + CIS animals. MCP does not mitigate cisplatin-induced splenic damage but alters immune cell distribution and galectin-related responses during cisplatin exposure.

Bibliographic Information