Comparative Study on Acellular Dermal Graft Versus Propylene Mesh Both Either Loaded or Unloaded with BM-MSCs in Healing of Skull Bone Defect in Rats: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

Bone defect occurs as a consequence of many conditions. Diseased bones don’t heal properly and defects in face area need proper bone reconstruction to avoid psychological and social problems. Tissue engineering is an emerging new modality of treatment. We thought to study different methods to fill skull bone defect in rats in order to find the most safe and effective method. So, this study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of acellular dermal graft (ADM) versus propylene mesh both either loaded or unloaded with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in healing of skull bone defect of a 5 mm diameter. The study included 36 adult male Wistar albino rats that were divided into three groups according to the way of filling skull bone defect. Group I: Ia (sham control), Ib (negative control). Group II: IIa (unseeded propylene), IIb (seeded propylene) and Group III: IIIa (unseeded ADM), IIIb (seeded ADM). The trephine operation was done on the left parietal bone. Specimens were collected four weeks postoperative and processed for H&E, osteopontin immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscope. Morphometric and statistical analysis were also performed. After studying the results of the experiment, we found that propylene mesh and ADM were suitable scaffolds that could support new bone formation in clavarial bone defect. Healing of skull bone defect was better in rats that received seeded scaffolds more than rats with unseeded scaffolds. The seeded ADM showed significant increase in bone forming activity as confirmed by histomorphometric and statistical results.

Possible protective effect of dietary extra-virgin olive oil on experimentally induced acute colitis in adult male albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Many therapies are used nowadays to control colitis, but side effects limit long-term effectiveness. There is growing interest in the use of dietary supplements to avoid undesirable effects that accompany the classical treatment. Considerable attention has been focused on the use of extra-virgin olive oil [EVOO] in colitis. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pretreatment with dietary EVOO on modulating the extent and severity of experimentally induced acute colitis in adult male albino rats. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided randomly into three groups: group I, which served as the control group; group II [the colitis group], in which colitis was induced by intracolonic injection of 1 ml of 2% acetic acid daily for 3 days; and group III [the protection group], in which animals received 1 ml of EVOO /100 gm body weight daily by oral gavage for 10 days starting 7 days before the induction of colitis as in the previous group. At the end of the experiment, the distal part of the colon was removed and prepared for light and scanning electron microscopic study. Statistical and morphometric studies were also performed. Induction of colitis in group II showed massive mucosal ulceration, hemorrhage, and mononuclear cellular infiltration. Moreover, submucosal exudate and vacuolation in the muscularis externa were also detected. Immunohistochemical examination showed intense infiltration by tumor necrosis factor-alpha immunoreactive cells. Pretreatment with EVOO in group III protected the colon from acetic acid-induced colitis, which was manifested by preservation of crypts and their lining epithelium and by decrease in mononuclear cellular infiltration. Administration of EVOO to adult male albino rats had an ameliorating effect on experimentally induced acute colitis, and therefore it could be used as a protective dietary measure to attenuate colitis in high-risk people

effects of different nutritional supplements on experimentally induced osteoporosis in male albino rats: a scanning electron microscopic study

Osteoporosis is one of the major health problems afflicting our modern world, especially disuse osteoporosis. Reduction of mechanical stresses on bone could lead to osteoporosis. To study the role of Ca and vitamins D and K on the prevention of immobilization osteoporosis. The study included 30 adult male albino rats, They were divided into three groups. Group I [the control group] and group II were immobilized by casting their right lower limb for 4 weeks. Group III [the immobilization group that concomitantly received a dietary supplement] was further subdivided into four subgroups; subgroup IIIa was given Ca citrate, subgroup IIIb was given vitamin D [alfacalcidol], subgroup IIIc was given Ca and vitamin D, and subgroup IIId was given vitamin K during the same period of immobilization. The distal ends of the femur of the immobilized limb were taken, processed, and examined using scanning electron microscopy. Morphometric studies were carried out. The results showed significant thinning of both compact and cancellous bone on immobilization. Multiple cavities and cracks and widening of the Haversian canal were detected in the compact bone. Thin irregular spike-like bone traveculae and fracture were also seen in the cancellous bone trabeculae. Administration of either Ca [subgroup IIIa] or vitamin D [subgroup IIIb] with immobilization did not improve most of the previous results. Combined administration of both Ca and vitamin D [subgroup IIIc] improved cortical bone thickness but not the thickness of cancellous bone. Administration of vitamin K [subgroup IIId] with immobilization resulted in extensive branching and anastomosing bone trabeculae in the metaphysic. For the period of this experiment, vitamin K proved to be more effective as a protective agent compared with combined Ca and vitamin D administration in cases of immobilization osteoporosis

possible protective role of royal jelly against cisplatin-induced testicular lesions in adult albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Cisplatin [CP] is one of the most frequently used antineoplastic agents for various types of tumors. Royal jelly [RJ] is a health tonic widely consumed nowadays with various benefits. To evaluate the effect of CP on rat testes and investigate the possible protective effect of RJ on CP- induced testicular lesions. Twenty-four adult albino rats were used. They were divided into four groups of six animals each. Group I served as the control group. Group II comprised rats that received a single intraperitoneal injection of CP[7mg/kg]. Group III comprised rats that received CP [as in group II] plus RJ, which was administered daily by gavage at a dose of 100mg/kg for 10 days. Group IV comprised rats that received RJ alone at the same previous dose. At the end of the experiment, both testes were weighed and prepared for histological, immunological, and electron microscopic studies. Blood samples were taken to measure plasma testosterone level, and morphometric studies were conducted. The results showed that CP had serious deleterious effects on testicular structure and function. RJ reduced the changes occurring with CP administration and caused improvement in the structure and function of rat testes. RJ has a protective effect on CP- induced testicular lesions and can be used in patients who undergo treatment with CP

Comparative study on the effect of vitamin K versus combined Ca and vitamin D administration on the prevention of experimentally-induced osteoporosis in adult male albino rats

Immobilization is one of the important causes of osteoporosis especially after cast application and in the elderly people who might be bedridden or suffering from joint diseases. To compare between the effects of vitamin K and the combined use of Ca and vitamin D on the prevention of experimentally-induced osteoporosis of the femur. This study included 24 adult male albino rats. They were divided into four groups: group 1 [control group], group 2 [immobilization group that were immobilized by casting of their right lower limb for 4 weeks], group 3 [immobilization group that concomitantly received 0.0009 mg/g body weight of vitamin K daily during the casting period], and group 4 [that was given Ca [0.09 mg/g body weight daily] and vitamin D [0.5 micro g/kg alfacalcidol daily] during the casting period]. At the end of the experiment, the distal end of the femur of the immobilized limb was taken, processed, and examined by different histological techniques. A morphometric study was conducted to measure cancellous bone thickness, osteoid thickness, osteoid surface percentage, and the eroded surface percentage. The data were statistically analyzed. It was observed that immobilization caused marked thinning of the cancellous bone trabeculae. Erosion cavities were frequently seen in both compact and cancellous bones. Increased mean eroded surface percentage and decreased mean osteoid thickness and mean osteoid surface percentage were also noticed with immobilization when compared with the control group. Concomitant administration of vitamin K with casting resulted in significant improvement of most of the above-mentioned bone parameters. With combined administration of Ca and vitamin D with immobilization, erosion cavities were still seen in a few areas. Decreased mean cancellous bone thickness was also noticed when compared with groups 1 and 3. According to the results of this experiment, vitamin K proved to be more effective, as a protective agent, than combined Ca and vitamin D administration in cases of immobilization osteoporosis. Level of evidence Level three in vitro [prospective case-control study in vitro]