ABSTRACT
Sodium fluoride is commonly added to drinking water, tooth pastes and some mouth washes as decay preventive ingredient. However, it becomes toxic at long term exposure and leads to some adverse effects on various organs, including brain. Investigate the possible histological and immunohistochemical changes in the frontal cortex of sodium fluoride intoxicated rats and evaluate the possible protective role of vitamin E. Thirty-six adult mate albino rats were used in this study and divided equally into three groups: control, treated and prophylactic. Treated group comprised animals that received a daily oral dose of sodium fluoride [20mg/kg] for 4 weeks. Prophylactic group received a daily oral dose of sodium fluoride [20 mg/kg] concomitant with vitamin E [400mg/kg] for the same duration. At the end of experiment, the frontal cortex of Ml rats was processed for light and electron microscopic examination. lmmunohistochemical study was performed for detection of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein [GFAP] and Bcl-2. The obtained results were analyzed morphometrically and statistically. Light microscopic examination of treated group revealed that most nerve cells in the cortical layers were distorted in shape with deeply stained shrunken nuclei. The ullrastructural study exhibited apoptotic neurons with heterochromatic nuclei. Their cytoplasm contained dilated and fragmented cistemae of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Immunohistohemical study of this group revealed intense positive immunoreaction for GFAP in the cytoplasm and processes of astrocytes while weak reaction for Bcl-2 was observed in most of nerve cells. The prophylactic group displayed normal appearance of most of nerve cells in the conical layers and few cells appeared distorted. Positive immunoreaction for Bcl-2 was observed in many nerve cells and endothelium of blood vessels. Area percent of GFAP immunoreaction in astrocytes in all groups showed significant increase in the treated group when compared with the control or prophylactic groups. Chronic exposure to sodium fluoride results in histological and immunohistochemical changes on the neurons and glial tissue of frontal cortex. Furthermore, combined vitamin E supplementation has an ameliorating effect on these changes. So, dietary supplements of vitamin Ii maybe beneficial for populations at risk
ABSTRACT
Corticosteroids are potent medications that have been extensively used to treat many inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. To study the histological changes that may occur in the prepubertal albino rat testis after administration of dexamethasone and to investigate the possibility of recovery of testis after drug stoppage. Thirty prepubertal male albino rats were used and divided into three equal groups. Group I [control] and group II [dexamethasone-treated] that were injected daily intraperitonealy by dexamethasone [7mg/kg body weight] for 2 weeks. Group III [recovery] were injected daily intraperitonealy with the same dose of dexamethasone for 2 weeks as group II, then left untreated for further 2 weeks. At the time of sacrifice, the testes of all groups were dissected out, processed and stained with H and E. Semithin sections were stained with toluidine blue and ultrathin sections were examined by electron microscope. Histological examination of dexamethasone-treated rats revealed changes in most of the seminiferous tubules. They had lost the normal distribution of their epithelial lining with appearance of several layers of dark type spermatogonia. They were ensheathed by irregular basement membrane. Ultrastructurally, spermatogonia had small irregular nuclei with condensation of heterochromatin and their cytoplasm contained few mitochondria. Some primary spermatocytes showed clumps of heterochromatin in their nuclei and their cytoplasm contained few mitochondria. Other cells were apoptotic. Multiple Sertoli cells appeared with indented nuclei and peripheral marginated heterochromatin. Their cytoplasm showed mitochondria with disrupted cristae. Leydig cells appeared with irregular shaped nuclei, contained large heterochromatic masses and their cytoplasm had some electron dense bodies of variable sizes and shapes. The testis of recovery group contained distorted seminiferous tubules with no return to the normal histological structure. The present work showed that dexamethasone injection for 2 weeks produced destructive effects on the structure of prepubertal albino rat testes. Also, this work showed incomplete recovery of these effects after drug stoppage. In clinical practice, therapeutic doses of dexamethasone and periods of administrations must be carefully adjusted specially in younger ages
ABSTRACT
Sex steroid hormones are important regulators of lacrimal gland functions. In addition, dry eye syndrome is conmion in menopausal women. This work was conducted to demonstrate the role of hormone replacement therapy [HRT] on structural integrity of the lacrimal gland of ovariectomized rats. Thirty six adult female albino rats, were used in the present work divided into three equal groups: Group I [control] and group II [bilaterally ovariectomized rats] sacrificed 1 and 12 weeks following ovariectomy. The third group contained ovariectomized rats receiving HRT was subdivided into: Subgroup lila received estradiol benzoate and subgroup III b received androgen. Small pieces of the gland were obtained and processed for different histological and immunohistochernical stains. One week after ovariectomy the connective tissue septa was thickened. Collagen fibers were abundant with extensive cellular infiltration around dilated ducts and congested blood vessels. Some acinar cells were vacuolated and others contained darkly stained nuclei. Twelve weeks after ovarictomy, the acini were lined with low cuboidal cells and their lumina were widened with increased collagen fibers inbetween. In hormone treated group, the gland nearly regained its normal architecture, however few acinar cell nuclei showed hyperchrornatism. In estrogen treated group some interlobular septa were widened. Concerning fiRs inimunoreactivity, in group 11, the acinar cell nuclei showed strong positive reaction in the first week then the reaction was negative after 12 weeks. The immune reaction for ERs remained negative after the HRT. One week after ovariectomy, the immune reaction for bcl-2 was weak in the cytoplasm of ductal cells and moderate in interstitial cells. After 12 weeks, they became immune negative and after estrogen and androgen treatment marked rise in their bcl-2 immune reactivity was observed. Sex hormone balance was proved to be a crucial factor in maintaining structural and functional integrity of lacrirnal gland. So, future clinical therapeutic strategies based on estrogen and/or androgen replacement therapy for aged women and patients with premature ovarian failure could help in preventing or curing dry eye syndrome associated with lacrimal deficiency is adivsed
Subject(s)
Female , Animals, Laboratory , Ovariectomy , Rats , Lacrimal Apparatus/drug effects , Hormone Replacement Therapy , Immunohistochemistry , Dry Eye SyndromesABSTRACT
Thiamphenicol [TAP], a class of chloramphenicol antibiotics, is still applied to control infections in medical and veterinary clinics despite its known side effects. To study the histological alterations that may occur in adult albino rat testis after TAP administration and stoppage and to evaluate the role of testosterone [TES] supplementation. 32 adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were equally divided into four groups. Group I was a control. Groups II, III and IV received orally once daily dose of TAP 200 mg/kg b.w. for successive 4 weeks after the first week group III were injected intramuscular with testosterone 10 mg/kg b.w once per week for 3 weeks whereas group IV was left without treatment for another 8 weeks. At the time of sacrifice, the testes were carefully dissected out and processed for light and electron microscope examination. The testes of TAP treated rats [Group II] showed many disorganized seminiferous tubules lined with vacuolated germinal epithelium and contained desquamated germ cells with darkly stained nuclei. Sertoli cells were lying on thick electron dense basement membrane. They contained large, irregular nuclei and their cytoplasm contained many vacuoles, some destroyed mitochondria and multiple electron dense granules. Transverse sections in the mid pieces of the sperms showed marked affection of mitochondrial sheath. The testes of TAP-TES treated group showed non significant improvement of the TAP hazardous effects. In group IV the seminiferous tubules were lined with spermtogonia and Sertoli cells. Multinucleated cells were also noticed. Some Sertoli cells had irregular electron dense nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. Others contained numerous swollen mitochondria and granules of different sizes and electron densities. In all experimental groups, the interstitial spaces showed abundant collagen fibres around blood vessels and there was no observable changes in the Leydig cells. The results of the present work revealed that TAP induced serious histological alterations in the testes of adult albino rats. Neither stopping TAP administration nor TES supplementation ameliorate the damaging effect of TAP. in clinical practice, TAP adverse effects must be taken into consideration for fear of infertility. So, further researches are suggested
ABSTRACT
The prevalence of pancreatic insufficiency increases with age. In addition, pancreatic cancer is a disease of elderly. To investigate the histological and immunohistochemical changes in rat pancreas during aging. This study was performed on fifteen male albino rats, The animals were classified into three equal groups, group A [3 months old], group B [12 months old] and group C [24 months old]. Their pancreases were dissected and processed for light and electron microscope examination. Paraffin sections were stained with H and E, Mallory's trichrome and immunohistochemical staining of beta cells by anti-insulin antibody. Area% of collagen fibers was also measured morphometrically and statistically analysd. Examination of exocrine part of pancreas in group A revealed that, it was formed of lobules packed with acini. The acinar cells appeared with euchromatic nuclei and their cytoplasm contained numerous granules, well defined RER and mitochondria. While in group B, dilated ducts were noticed. Some acinar cells had small electron dense nuclei and their cytoplasm contained dilated cisternae of RER, few granules and secondary lysosomes. In group C, most of acini were vacuolated. The acinar cells showed marked degenerative changes in cytoplasmic organelles and their nuclei were heterochromatic. There was age related increase in collagen fibers. The area% of collagen fibers was significantly increased in group C as compared to groups A and B. As regards the endocrine part of pancreas, in group A it was formed of group of cells separated by blood capillaries. beta cells had euchromatic nuclei and their cytoplasm was filled with their characteristic granules. In group B, some islets showed decreased cells population. In addition, the cytoplasm of some beta cells contained few vacuoles. In group C the prevelance of vacuolated cells that showed pyknotic nuclei was increased. Strong positive immunoreaction of insulin hormone was seen in the cytoplasm of beta cells occupying most of the islet in groups A and B. However in group C the immunoreactivity was faint. The exocrine and endocrine parts of pancreas were subjected to natural degenerative changes which increased steadily with age. So, further studies should be needed in a trial to find protective anti-aging strategies including dietary anti oxidants and stem cell therapy