Histological changes in adult rat pancreas upon chronic administration of aspartame

Aspartame is the most popular artificial sweetener consumed by many individuals worldwide. Yet, there is still a debate on its consumption as an alternative to sugar. Further studies are warranted to assess the effects of aspartame on pancreas morphodynamics. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of chronic aspartame administration on the histological structure of rat pancreas. Twenty male albino rats aged 3 months were divided into two equal groups: a control group [group I] and an experimental group [group II], which included rats that received 250 mg/kg/day aspartame once daily for 6 months. The pancreatic tails were processed for light and electron microscopy. The pancreatic islets were evaluated by immunohistochemical stain for the identification of insulin-secreting beta cells. In group II, binucleated acinar cells, prominent nucleoli, and a relative decrease in secretory granules were observed. Some islet cells showed an acidophilic granular cytoplasm and deeply stained nuclei. A strong positive immunoreaction for insulin was observed in beta cells. Ultrastructurally, acinar cells showed euchromatic nuclei with multiple nucleoli. The proliferation and dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum had occurred with disturbed cell polarity. Secretory granules were deficient in most acinar cells. beta Cells showed an apparent increase in the amount of secretory granules, especially immature ones, and a variable degree of vacuolation. Chronic administration of aspartame to adult rats could exert a hyperstimulatory effect on pancreatic acinar and beta cells, leading to the risk of development of pancreatitis and/or diabetes

Toxic effect of cisplatin on cerebellar cortex and spinal cord of adult male albino rat and the possible role of vitamin E: light and electron microscopic study

The nervous system is frequently the site of symptomatic toxicity of antineoplastic agents, cisplatin is a widely used potent chemotherapeutic agent that is highly neurotoxic. It has been proven that it is able to generate reactive oxygen species and inhibit the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This study was carried out to demonstrate the neurotoxic effects of cisplatin on the structure of adult rat cerebellum and spinal cord, and the role of vitamin E which has been shown to ameliorate hephro, oto and neurotoxicities induced by cisplatin. Thirty adult male albino rats weighing 200-250 gm were divided into three groups: Group one: kept as a control. Group two: animals treated with cisplatin at a dose of 4mg/kg twice weekly by intraperitoneal injection, for one month. Group three: animals treated with vitamin E at a dose of 100mg/kg by intramuscular injection in concomitant with cisplatin twice weekly for one month. Animals were sacrificed and their cerebella and spinal cords were processed for light and electron microscopy. Morphometrical and statistical study was done for the mean number, as well as the mean surface area of Purkinje cells and mean surface area of their nuclei. The histological approach revealed marked degenerative changes in the Purkinje cells and motor ceurons of cisplatin treated animals [Group II]. Some of these cells appeared irregular with deeply stained cytoplasm and pykontic nuclei. Ultrastructural examination showed Purkinje cells with cellular shrinkage, damaged organelles and irregular nuclei with electron dense karyoplasms. Significant degenerative changes in the motor neurons and blood capillaries of the anterior horn of the spinal cord in the same group were frequently observed. Morphometric evaluations demonstrated significant decrease in the mean number and the mean surface area of nuclei and cell bodies of Purkinje cells. These structural and morphometrical alterations were much less observed in concomitant use of vitamin E with cisplatin [Group III]. Cerebellum and spinal cord are considered the target areas of cisplatin neurotoxicity, while vitamin E, when used in combination with cisplatin displays a protective action against neurotoxicity

Effect of cisplatin on the cerebellar cortex and spinal cord of adult male albino rat and the possible role of vitamin e: light and electron microscopic study

The nervous system is frequently the site of symptomatic toxicity of antineoplastic agents. Cisplatin is a widely used potent chemotherapeutic agent that is highly neurotoxic. It has been proven that it is able to generate reactive oxygen species and inhibit the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This study was carried out to demonstrate the neurotoxic effects of cisplatin on the structure of adult rat cerebellar cortex and motor neurons of the anterior horn of the spinal cord and to evaluate the role of vitamin E which has been shown to ameliorate nephro, oto and neurotoxicities induced by cisplatin. Thirty adult male albino rats weighing 200-250 gm were divided into three groups: Group [I]: Kept as a control. Group [II]: Animals treated with cisplatin at a dose of 4 mg/kg twice weekly by intraperitoneal injection, for one month. Group [III]: Animals treated with vitamin E at a dose of 100 mg/kg by intramuscular injection in concomitant with cisplatin twice weekly for one month. Animals were sacrificed and their cerebellar cortex and spinal cords were processed for light and electron microscopy. Morphometrical and statistical study was done for the mean number, as well as the mean surface area of Purkinje cells and mean surface area of their nuclei. The histological approach revealed marked degenerative changes in the Purkinje cells and motor neurons of cisplatin treated animals [GII]. Some of these cells appeared irregular with deeply stained cytoplasm and pykontic nuclei. Ultrastructural examination showed Purkinje cells with cellular distortion, damaged organelles and irregular nuclei with electron dense karyoplasms. Degenerative changes in the motor neurons and blood capillaries of the anterior horn of spinal cord of the same group were frequently observed. Morphometric evaluations demonstrated significant decrease in the mean number and the mean surface area of nuclei and cell bodies of Purkinje cells. These structural and morphometrical alterations were much less observed in concomitant use of vitamin E with cisplatin [GIII]. Cerebellar cortex and spinal cord motor neurons are considered target areas of cisplatin neurotoxicity, while vitamin E, when used in combination with cisplatin displays a protective action against neurotoxicity

Effect of fluoride on rat cerebellar cortex: light and electron microscopic studies

Fluoride accumulation in the brain of experimental animals was particularly observed in the hippocampus. It caused altered neuronal and cerebrovascular integrity, abnormal behavioral patterns and metabolic brain lesions. Fluoride affected indeed the cerebellar development in mice but its effect on adult rat cerebellar cortex is something awaits further investigation. Is to define the effects of fluorosis on the histological structure of adult rat cerebellar cortex. A total number of 40 adult female albino rats were used. They were divided into two groups [20 animals each]. Group I: Was kept as control group, received distilled water orally daily by gastric tube for 2 months. Group II: Received sodium fluoride orally [dissolved in distilled water] at a dose of 12 mg/Kg body weight for two months. Samples from cerebella were taken and processed for light and electron microscopic investigation. After fluoride treatment, features of neurodegeneration were observed. The Purkinje cells appeared shrunken, deeply stained, with multilayer disposition, which was confirmed by morphometric evaluation of the Purkinje cell layer thickness. Ultrastructurally, increased infolding of nuclear envelope, mitochondrial alterations, dilated Rough endoplamic reticulum cisternae and clusters of vesicles near the Golgi bodies were observed. Apoptotic granule cells accumulated in a clumping manner, Bergmann astrocytes with features of increased activity, dilated and congested blood capillaries were noticed. GFAP positive cells were more abundant and appeared larger in the three cortical layers of treated animals associated with positive reaction for inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] compared to negative reaction in control animals. The cerebellar cortex was particularly susceptible to sodium fluoride- induced oxidative stress and could contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases

Evaluation of the role of garlic on the structure of liver and gastric mucosa in aged male albino rat: a histological and histochemical study

Age related changes in the hepatic and gastric tissues have been discovered and are considered to be implicated in the pathogenesis of some diseases. To evaluate the effect of garlic as a prophylactic or a therapeutic tool against age related changes in the liver and stomach. 80 male albino rats were used. Classified into four groups: group 1: 15 rats served as control adult, group 2: 15 rats served as control aged, group 3: 25 adult rat treated with Tomax in a dose of 100 mg/kg orally daily till aging and group 4: 25 aged rats treated with Tomax in the same previous dose for 4 months. Animals were sacrificed and specimens from the liver and stomach were prepared for light and electron microscopy. Light and electron microscopic examination of liver and stomach of group 1 revealed the normal structure. Age related changes were detected in group 2 in the form of vacuolation of cells lining the gastric glands and disturbed hepatic architecture. Ultrastructurally, degenerative changes in parietal and chief cells were observed. Hepatocytes showed variable sized nuclei with marginated hetero chromatin clumps, areas of rarified cytoplasm, fragmented endoplasmic reticulum and interrupted cell membrane. Tomax treatment in group 3 greatly improved the aging changes in liver and gastric mucosa. Decreased vacuolation of gastric epithelial cells and restored hepatic architecture were observed. Ultrastructural degenerative changes were less pronounced in both tissues. In group 4 there was no obvious improvement but they were more or less similar to group 2. It could be concluded that garlic could be used as a prophylactic measure against age induced structural changes in the liver and stomach rather than being used as a therapeutic one