Histotopographic and immunohistochemical characteristics of the lympho-macrophage infiltrate in the stromal-vascular compartment of the rats liver under the conditions of long-term experimental exposure to cannabidiol oil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2025.3.149-157

Keywords:

Cannabidiol, CBD, rats, liver, microcirculation, histology, lympho-macrophage infiltrate, histology, immunohistochemistry.

Abstract

Background. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid from the cannabis plant that is increasingly being used to treat various diseases. Analysis of immune system cells in liver studies with experimental use of CBD is important to establish its safety. Objective: to determinate of histotopographic and immunohistochemical features of lympho-macrophage infiltrate in the stromal-vascular compartment of rats liver under long-term experimental exposure to 10% CBD oil. Methods. Experimental studies were conducted on 40 sexually mature white non-linear male rats weighing 180-230 g, aged 5-7 months at the beginning of the experiment. Depending on the duration of CBD oil application, the animals of the experimental group were divided into 2 subgroups (series) of 14 rats in each series. Rats of the first series were orally dripped with 10% CBD oil (dose 10 mg/kg/day) once a day for 8 weeks, rats of the second series were also orally dripped with 10% CBD oil (dose 10 mg/kg/day) once a day for 10 weeks. The control group included 12 sexually mature white male rats, 6 individuals in each series of the experimental study. At the end of the experiment, after euthanasia, the livers removed for morphological examination. Histological, immunohistochemical studies were performed using monoclonal antibodies for macrophages and Kupffer cells CD68 (Clone KP1, Dako), T-lymphocytes CD3 (Clone SP7, Thermo Fisher scientific), B-lymphocytes CD20 (Clone Ab-1, Thermo Fisher scientific), NK-lymphocytes CD56 (Clone 123C3, Dako) according to the manufacturer's protocol with necessary controls. When comparing the indicators, the minimum level of significance was p< 0.05. Results. As a result of the study, the histotopographic and immunohistochemical features of the lympho-macrophage infiltrate in the stromal-vascular compartment of the liver of rats were established under the condition of long-term experimental exposure to 10% cannabidiol oil (at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day) for 8 and 10 weeks. The stromal component of the liver was found to contain an increased number of immune cells without destruction of the marginal plate and without spread of the infiltrate into the adjacent liver parenchyma, without signs of dystrophy or necrosis of adjacent hepatocytes. In both series of experiments, the cell population was diverse, but mononuclear cells of the lymphoid and macrophage series prevailed. The most numerous populations among the cells of the infiltrate were macrophages and Kupffer cells in both series of the experiment (p<0.05). A significant predominance of the expression of the total population of T-lymphocytes in both series compared to the control (p<0.05) and a significant predominance of the expression of T-lymphocytes over the expression of B-lymphocytes (p<0.05) were established. Immunohistochemical typing using the CD56 marker allowed visualization of NK-cells located in sinusoids on endothelial cells or between them. Conclusion. A comprehensive study of lympho-macrophage infiltrate in the stromal-vascular compartment of rat livers under long-term experimental exposure to 10% CBD oil (at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day) for 8 and 10 weeks indicates the safety of CBD oil use.

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Published

2025-10-30

How to Cite

Shevchuk , M. (2025). Histotopographic and immunohistochemical characteristics of the lympho-macrophage infiltrate in the stromal-vascular compartment of the rats liver under the conditions of long-term experimental exposure to cannabidiol oil. Морфологія / Morphologia / Morfologìâ, 19(3), 149–157. https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2025.3.149-157

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