Effect of zinc-free diet from weaning through puberty on the structure of the testis in albino rats, with a special focus on the Leydig cells

Zinc is an essential trace element. Many physiological processes would be impaired if zinc is not supplied in sufficient quantities in the diet. The aim of the work was to evaluate the effect of a zinc-free diet from weaning through puberty on the testicular structure of rats, with a special focus on the Leydig cells. Twenty weaned rats were divided into three groups. Group I [the control group] was fed a balanced diet. Group II [the zinc-free group] was fed a zinc-free diet for 3 months. Group III [the recovery group] was fed a zinc-free diet for 3 months, followed by a balanced diet for 1 month. At the end of the experiment, rats were weighed and blood samples were collected to measure the level of serum testosterone hormone. The testes were removed, weighed, and processed for light and transmission electron microscopic study. The zinc-free group showed a significant decrease in the mean body weight, testis weight, and serum testosterone level compared with the control group. The light and electron microscopic examination showed loss of most of the spermatogenic cells accompanied by variable degrees of degeneration in the form of karryorhexis and haphazard chromatin content. In the interstitial tissue, there was accumulation of exudate. Many Leydig cells showed dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Others cells showed accumulation of glycogen. Most of these changes were reversed after receiving the balanced diet in the recovery group. A zinc-free diet altered the structure of both the seminiferous tubules and the Leydig cells. Most of these alterations were reversed by zinc replenishment. Zinc is considered an essential element for maintaining testicular structure and spermatogenesis process

comparative study of the effect of Budesonide versus prednisolone on adrenal gland of the male rabbit

Although oral glucocorticoids are the treatment of choice for moderate to severe pancolitis, their systemic side effects and adrenal suppression account for considerable morbidity. Budesonide is a new intestinal topical active glucocorticoid which displays high therapeutic efficacy and high systemic tolerability. To deliver the active drug to ileal and ileocecal area, Budesonide has been formulated into enterocapsule preparation. Several studies compared the efficacy of Budesonide with that of Prednisolone. However, few determined the extent of adrenocortical suppression occurring with both drugs on histological basis. In this work, fifteen adult male New Zealand albino rabbits were used. They were classified into three equal groups. Group I served as control. Group II included animals that received intragastrically one tablet of 5 mg prednisolone daily for four weeks. Group III included animals that received orally one capsule of entocort containing 3 mg budesonide every other day for four weeks. The adrenals were processed for histological and immunohistochemical study. In the present comparative study, evidence of adrenal suppression was significantly greater in the prednisolone group than in budesonide treated animals. Light microscopic examination of H and E stained sections of prednisolone group, revealed an apparent decrease in the size of zona fasciulata cells which was proved significant by morphometric study. Moreover, Oil red stained sections of group II demonstrated a relative decrease in cytoplasmic lipid content of both zona glomerulosa and fasciculata. Using chromaffin reaction, it was noticed that there was a relative increase in the number of nor-epinephrine cells than in group III. Immunohistochemical study showed that most of the nuclei of cells in zona fasciculata in group II were negatively stained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] which was further proved significant morphometrically using the PCNA index. Thus it was concluded that, the budesonide preparation is associated with much less impairment of adrenal axis function. Therefore, budesonide offers a useful advance in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Effect of induced iron deficiency and iron supplementation on the myocardium of the left ventricle of post weaned male albino rat. A light and electron microscopic study

Numerous studies have demonstrated the negative impact of iron deficiency on the growth and development. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of iron deficiency on the myocardium of the left ventricle of heart as well as their recovery whether by the therapeutic administration of iron or by balanced diet. Thirty six post weaned male albino rats were divided into three groups. Group I [12 rats] represented the control group receiving balanced diet [containing 36 mg iron/kg diet] and was equally subdivided into subgroup I-A and subgroup I-B according to duration of the experiment. Group II [12 rats] in which iron deficiency state was induced using a deficient diet [5 mg iron/kg diet] for 6 weeks. Group III [12 rats] represented the recovery group. They received iron deficient diet [5 mg/kg] similar to group II and according to the recovery regimen, this group was further subdivided into subgroup III-A [received balanced diet for further 2 weeks] and subgroup III-B [received oral supplementation of iron [9.45 mg/kg. body weight/day] along with the balanced diet for 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected for measuring hemoglobin concentration and chemical analysis for iron. Animals were sacrificed and their hearts were processed for both light and electronmicroscopic examinations. Iron deficiency resulted in vacuolation of left ventricular myocytes, pyknotic nuclei with mitochondrial swelling and disorganization. The sarcomeres were irregularly organized with focal degeneration and discontinuity of myofilaments. There was apparent thickening of the left ventricular muscle fibers. Recovery groups revealed evidence of mild regeneration in subgroup III-A and nearly complete recovery in subgroup III-B. Iron supplementation is essential to recover the changes associating iron deficiency

Effect of vitamin A on experimentally induced diabetic mucosal changes of buccal cavity of adult male albino rats. A light and electron microscopic study

Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by periodontal disease and several soft tissue lesions. Scientific and epidemiological data suggested a long synergy between nutrition and the integrity of the tissues of the oral cavity in health and disease. Forty two adult male albino rats were used in the current study in order to evaluate the role of vitamin A in treatment of diabetic changes in the mucous membrane of the cheek. The animals were divided into 2 major groups, a control [I] and an experimental group [II]. The experimental group was further divided into 4 equal subgroups. Subgroup IIa, was the diabetic subgroup. Subgroup IIb included diabetic rats that received insulin. Subgroup IIc was the diabetic subgroup that received vitamin A. Subgroup IId was formed of diabetic rats that received both insulin and vitamin A. Oral form of vitamin A [retinyl palmitate] was topically applied to the buccal cavity. Diabetes was induced using streptozotocin. Diabetes in the present study resulted in cytoplasmic and nuclear changes in the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the cheek. The junctions between the cells showed dilated spaces. Areas of keratinization were observed between the epithelial cells, there was also patchy areas of loss of the superficial cells. The subepithelial connective tissue showed congested blood capillaries. Some of these changes were still observed in subgroup IIb that received insulin treatment alone. Topical application of retinyl palmitate together with insulin resulted in that the mucous membrane of the cheek showed a very similar picture to that of the control. In conclusion, the mucosa of the oral cavity was found to be greatly affected by diabetes mellitus. Insulin alone was not sufficient to treat these changes. Topical application of oral form of vitamin A together with insulin resulted in a marked improvement. It is recommended that diabetic patients have to use a mouth gargle or tooth paste to which oral form of vitamin A [retinyl palmitate] was added