Effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on bone marrow morphology following cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia in rats

Abstract

Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor is a glycoprotein that stimulates synthesis of granulocytes, especially of neutrophiles. It can be used to correct myelosupression associated with long-term chemotherapy or in the treatment of neutropenia. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of G-CSF on bone marrow after cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia in rats. The study was conducted on 24 female Wistar rats divided in 3 experimental groups; the control group, group of cyclophoshamide treated animals and the group of animals that were treated with Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor after neutropenia induction with cyclophosphamide. Cytological exam of bone marrow aspirates and histological exam from sternal bone marrow were realized using routine techniques. Examination of the aspirates taken from the femoral bone marrow and of the histological sections taken from the sternum showed a dramatic reduction in the number of myeloid precursors in individuals of group 2 which have been subjected to cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression, while the administration of G-CSF to the individuals of group 3 induced marked proliferation of the myeloid precursor cells, correcting the myelosuppressive effect of the cyclophosphamide In conclusion, G-CSF can be used for the stimulation and mobilization of myeloid progenitor cells from the bone marrow.