Studies on nephrotoxicity aspirin and gentamicin in combination in rats

Aspirin [ASA] and gentamicin [GM] are widely used by many patients in Egypt. The aim of this work was to investigate the nephrotioxic effect GM and in combination with administration of ASA in rats. 28 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used in the present work. They were divided ino 4 equal group. The second group was injected with ASA, third group was given GM and the fourth group was given combination of GM and ASA. The biochemical indices measured were body weight, urine volume, plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. When ASA and GM were used in combination, a marked increase in the nephrotoxic parameters was observed. A signficiant increase in plasma creatinine, blood urea and urine volume. Electron microsopic examination confirmed the extensive renal damage following combined administration of ASA and GM. The intertubular spaces were greatly wide and loaded with thick bundles of collagen fibrils and many inflammatory interstitial cells. The cytoplasm of the severely affected tubular cells were loaded with heavy aggregations of many large myeloid bodies as well as heterogeneous lysosomes containing masses of electron-dense deposits and sequestrated organelles. Multivesicualr bodies and residual bodies containing lipid droplets were also noticed, however, the size and number of these inclusion were more frequently encountered than in any of the other treated group of animals. There were occasional thickening of the lamina densa of the capillary basement membrance and fusion of the foot preocesses of podocytes. The thickened endothelial lining of the glomerular basement membrane was observed to affect more expanded sections of the glomerular capillaries with more obliteration of its fenestrae. The capillary lumen and the urinary spaces also contained many cellular bedris. In conclusion, the results of this study clearly indicate that ASA potentiates the severity of GM nephrotoxicity within two weeks of treatment when both drugs were given concurrently; and the possibility that interaction might increase the nephrotoxic risk associated with gentamicin administration should be taken in consideration. So, these results recommend to aviod the use of this combination especially in high persons with compromised renal function

Effects of permanent occlusion of the testicular vein on the testis of the rat

The effects of ligation of the testicular vein on the testicular structure were studied in the adult albino rats. Forty animals were used in this study Animals were divided into two groups: control group and operated group. In the operated group, the animals were subjected to permanent occlusion of left testicular vein for periods of one, two, four and eight weeks. After one week, many spermatogenic cells showed pyknosis or karyolsis. Detachment of cellular contents from the basement membrane was also noticed. After two weeks, the tunica albuginea was markedly thickened. The tubules showed agglomeration of their contents or thinning of the epithelial cell layers and widening of their lumina. After four weeks, dispersion of the constituents of the tunica albuginea was marked and a massive cellular infiltrate of mononuclear cells was seen under the capsule in between and even inside the tubules. Mutlinucleated giant cells were also observed and were usually associated with empty spaces between the layers of spematogenic cells. After eight weeks, the seminiferous tubules showed severe epithelial degeneration with agglomeration of the cellular contents in masses inside the tubules. The interstitium showed slight oedema with fibroblast-like cells replacing some Leydig cells. The results and the significance of interruption of the counter-current exchange system between the pampiniform plexus and the testicular artery were discussed

effect of propanolol [inderal] on the exocrine pancreas of rat: a histological and ultrastructural study

This study was done to investigate the effect of propanolol [inderal] on the exocrine pancreas of rats. Ten adult male sparague-Dawley rats were used. Five rats were used as control and the other five were injected daily i.p. with propanolol in a dose of 0.01 mg/100 of rat body weight for 5 weeks. Animals were sacrificed, and the pancreas was fixed in formalin and gluteraldehyde for light and electron microscopic examination. The propanolol-treated pancreas showed marked fibrous thickening of the capsule and connective tissue septa. Vascular changes, acinar disruption and ductular proliferation were also evident. The ultrastructural picture of the propanolol treated acini showed dilatation and vesiculation of the rER. Zymogen granules of medium density, widening of the acinar lumen and decreasing numbers of projecting microvilli were apparent. In conclusion the ischemia induced by propanolol injection resulted in pancreatitis of the treated rats