Lipidogram alterations after total splenectomy, subtotal splenectomy and splenic auto-implants in rats

Abstract

Purpose: Although the occurrence of spleen alterations in the various forms of dyslipidemia, such as Gaucher’s disease has been well established, the relationship between spleen and the lipid metabolism has not been properly studied. In order to contribute to fulfill this gap, the present investigation experimentally assessed the lipidogram of rats in the presence of the spleen, in asplenia, and after conservative spleen surgeries. Methods: Forty female Wistar rats of similar weight and age were divided into 4 groups submitted to the following procedures: Group 1- control, with intact spleen; Group 2 – total splenectomy; Group 3 - subtotal splenectomy, and Group 4- total splenectomy complemented with autogenous spleen tissue implants. Four months after the interventions, the serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and fractions (VLDL, LDL, HDL) were determined. Results of the four groups were compared by analysis of variance followed by the Tukey-Kramer test, with level of significance set as p < 0.05. Results: There were no differences between groups 1, 3 and 4. In animals submitted to total splenectomy, the total cholesterol (p = 0.0093) and LDL fraction concentrations (p < 0.0001) were higher, whereas HDL fraction concentrations were lower (p = 0.05) than those detected in the other groups. There was no difference in triglycerides (p = 0.1882) or VLDL (p = 0.2030) between groups. Conclusions: The spleen probably plays an important role in the lipid metabolism of female rats and total splenectomy may be related to changes in the cholesterol control. It is possible that preservation of the spleen tissue prevents such metabolic disorders.