Effect of green tea on aged rat skeletal muscle: a light and electron microscopic study

Age-related sarcopenia represents a powerful risk factor for the loss of independence and physical disability in the elderly. Green tea contains a series of polyphenols called catechins and has been applied for disease prevention and treatment. To determine the effects of the intake of green tea on age-related changes in skeletal muscle. Thirty female albino rats were divided into three equal groups: group I [control adults] included 6-month-old rats, group II [aged]included 18-month-old rats, and group III [green tea treated] included 12-month-old rats that received green tea at a dose of 300mg/kg body weight in 1.5ml distilled water orally daily by a gastric tube for 6 months. Quadriceps muscle was dissected bilaterally and prepared for light and electron microscopical examination. Morphometric and statistical studies of the mean cross-sectional area of myofibers were carried out in the three studied groups. With increasing age, there were focal degeneration and atrophy, and significant decrease in the mean cross-sectional area of myofibers. The connective tissue framework showed increased collagen fiber deposition and deficient reticular fibers. Ultrathin sections showed areas of myofibrillar loss and mitochondria with destroyed cristae. Dense shrunken nuclei of satellite cells were observed. After treatment with green tea, normal-appearing myofibers, except for centrally located nuclei, were observed. The mean cross-sectional area of myofibers increased significantly compared with the aged group. Collagen and reticular fibers were relatively similar to those of the control. Proliferation of satellite cells was observed with restoration of normal myofiber ultrastructure. Good regenerative outcome was observed in aged skeletal muscle after the intake of green tea

comparative histological and biochemical study on the use of vitamins C, E and alpha lipoic acid either separately or in combination on acute hepatic toxicity with malathion

Malathion is one of the most popular organophosphorous insecticides. Free radical damage is an important direct or indirect factor involved in malathion poisoning. The objective of the present study was to estimate the role of vitamin C, vitamin E and alpha-lipoic acid either individually or in combination, in amelioration of acute hepatic toxicity induced by malathion. Sixty adult male albino rats were divided into six equal groups. Group iserved as control. Group 2 received malathion [1000 mg/kg body weight] once orally. Group 3 received malathion+ vit.C [200 mg/kg] once i.p. Group 4 received malathion+ vit. F [150mg/kg] once i.m. Group 5 received malathion+ alpha-lipoic acid [25mg/kg] once i.p. Group 6 received malathion+ vit. C+ vit.E+ aipha-liopic acid. Animals of all groups were sacrificed after 24 hours. Histological examination of the liver was performed. Biochemical assay of superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity and total thiols as antioxidant indices, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] as an index of lipid peroxidation [oxidative stress indices], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine amino transferase [ALT], total protein, albumin and globulin as liver function tests was done. Light and electron microscopic examination of liver of group 2 exhibited foci of altered cells with dense nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm, mononuclear cell infiltrations in portal areas, electron lucent areas in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes, marginaton of nuclear chromatin. Biochemical analysis showed a significant increase in the serum levels of SOD, total thiols, TBARS, AST, ALT, total protein and globulin as compared to control. Treatment by any of the antioxidants variably reduced the hepatic structural changes induced by malathion, while combined treatment resulted in a significant degree of recovery. There was significant decrease in serum levels of all biochemical parameters when treated with one or combination of antioxidants [vitamin C, F or u lipoic acid]. Combination of the previous antioxidants could be used as helpful therapeutic line in treatment of acute hepatic toxicity with malathion rather than their use separately