Histological and biochemical study on the effect of the neuropeptide [substance P] and its antagonist [spantide] on the lymphoid tissue of the lung and spleen of rats

The role of substance P in immune regulation has been reported by numerous studies, however it is complex and not fully elucidated. This study focused on its role in the mediation of release of cytokines and immunoglobulins and initiation of proliferative changes in the lymphoid tissue of the lung and spleen. Ninety rats were divided into three groups, each of thirty: Group I was injected with endotoxin free water [as control], Group II was injected with substance P and Group III was injected with substance P and spantide. Fifteen rats from each group were sacrificed after two hours and the other 15 after one week. The levels of interleukins I and 6 and immunoglobulins G and M were determined. Histological examination was performed for the spleen and lung revealing that the proliferation of the lymphoid tissue in both organs was more marked in the group sacrificed after one week. Interleukins I and 6 and immunoglobulins G and M showed significant increase in group II as compared with group I and III after two hours of injection as well as after one week. These findings suggested that the substance P-mediated release of interleukins I and 6 with production of immunoglobulins G and M and the proliferation of lymphoid tissue of the lung and spleen can be partially inhibited by spantide

Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural evaluation of the effect of caffeine administration on the liver hepatocytes in mice

The aim of this work was to study the histological, histochemical and ultrastructural changes in liver hepatocytes of males mice after the intramuscular administration of caffeine. After 7 days intramuscular injection of caffeine [60 mg/kg body weight] to mice [Mus musculus], the main histological features of the liver specimens were dilatation of the blood sinusoids with some round cell invasion. Histochemical study, using best carmine stain, revealed mild diminution of glycogen particles in the hepatocytes. After 45 days treatment with caffeine, the main changes were found in the liver cells. The hepatocytes were ballooned with loss of cytoplasmic matrix, and in some specimens, there were some foci of complete degeneration. Histochemically, there was marked depletion of glycogen content. The blood sinusoids were filled with cloudy material. This was also proved by ultrastructural study which also revealed distorted RER, proliferation of SER, diminution of glycogen rosette degeneration and vacuolation of the cytoplasm, with deposition of collagen fibers in the degenerated areas. Some hepatocytes revealed abnormal nuclei with irregular contour and abnormal distribution of chromatin. Thus, long- term caffeine administration should be taken with a great care, as it was proved from this study that caffeine can cause severe hepatocellular injury

Long-term caffeine administration to mice could be hepatotoxic? Biochemical, histological and histo-chemical studies

The aim of this work was to assess the chronic effects of caffeine intramuscular administration on some metabolic functions of the liver, glycogen and protein contents of the muscle compared with the histological study of the liver of adult male white mice [Mus musculus]. After 7 days intramuscular injection of caffeine [60 mg/kg body weight] to mice [Mus musculus], it was found that glycogen content of liver and muscle was significantly decreased as compared to the control group together with significant increase in the blood and tissue glucose. The insulin level was also significantly increased. These metabolic changes were continued for 45 days and proved histochemically using Best's carmine stain. After 45 days, the hepatocytes showed marked depletion of glycogen content. The total serum and liver protein showed significant increase as compared to the control group after 7 and 45 days together with disturbed some liver function tests as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT], serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase [SGPT] and alkaline phosphatase [AP] which showed significant increase after 7 and 45 days intramuscular caffeine injection. The chronic use of caffeine in pharmaceutics should be restricted as it was proved to cause some hepatocellular and muscular metabolic disturbances