Stem cells promote healing of experimentally induced ulcer in streptozotocin diabetic rats: histological and immunohistochemical study

Diabetic patients with foot ulcers usually manifest with complications. Preliminary evidence supported the effectiveness of stem cell therapy on diabetic foot ulcers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of stem cells in the healing of experimentally induced wounds in diabetic albino rats. Thirty male albino rats were divided into three groups, 10 rats each, which were control group, diabetic control group, and diabetic stem cell-treated group. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. A full thickness circular skin wound of approximately 10 mm in diameter was performed on the anterolateral side of right legs of all rats. In the diabetic stem cell-treated group, injection of umbilical cord blood-derived CD34 + stem cells into the wound bed was administered. In each group, half of the rats were killed after 1 week and the rest after 2 weeks. The wound areas were obtained and used for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Assessments of wound surface area, epidermal thickness, blood vessel proliferation, and collagen deposition were made and were statistically analyzed in the different groups. There was a significant decrease in mean wound surface area, increase in mean epidermal thickness, blood vessel proliferation, and collagen deposition in the stem cell-treated group compared with the nontreated diabetic group. Treatment of wounded diabetic rats with CD34 + enriched cells accelerated wound healing through enhanced revascularization of the wounds compared with diabetic controls

Curcumin protects against testicular damage and genotoxicity induced by acrylamide in male albino mice

Acrylamide is a chemical used in many industries. Although it is found to be harmful, human are exposed to varying amounts of it in the diet, especially fried food. Curcumin is a herbal agent used in medicine and proved to be protective against many harmful agents. This study was undertaken to assess the protective effect of curcumin against the reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity induced by acrylamide in male albino mice. Twenty-eight male albino mice were divided into four groups: group 1 [control group], group 2 [curcumin group], group 3 [acrylamide group], and group 4 [curcumin + acrylamide group]. Both curcumin and acrylamide were given through oral intubation for 5 days. Seventy-two hours after the last administration, blood samples were taken for random amplified polymorphism DNA PCR [RAPD PCR] analysis and testes were used for both light and transmission electron microscopic examination. Sperm smears were also performed and their results were statistically analyzed to detect any sperm abnormalities. Acrylamide resulted in atrophy and exfoliation of the germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules with thickening of their basement membranes. There was also a significant increase in the percentage of abnormal sperms, compared with the control group. Transmission electron microscopic examination confirmed these results. Genotoxicity was also detected as genomic template stability was lower than that of the control group. The use of curcumin produced a significant protection against the all of the above-mentioned changes. Curcumin is effective in protection against reproductive toxicity and genotoxicity induced in male albino mice by the use of acrylamide

Histological study on the effect of haematopoietic stem cells on the adriamycin model of nephropathy in albino rats

End-stage renal disease is a major health problem. Recent studies have reported the efficacy of stem cell therapy in nephropathy animal models. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of stem cells on renal structure and functions in nephropathy rat models. Thirty male albino rats were divided into three groups: control [I] and nephropathy [II, III] groups. Nephropathy was induced by an intravenous injection of adriamycin. Animals that were found to be nephropathic were divided into two groups: group II [animals were not subjected to treatment] and group III [animals were treated with an intravenous injection of stem cells]. Five weeks after the start of the experiment, urine and blood samples were collected for biochemical investigation and kidney tissue was used for histological examination. The percentages of affected renal tubular cells were calculated, in addition to the area percentage of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material and collagen and their results were statistically analyzed. Adriamycin produced a significant increase in serum urea, creatinine and urinary proteins, with a significant decrease in creatinine clearance and serum albumin. Histological examination showed acute focal tubular necrosis, the renal corpuscles showed thickened membranes, changes in Bowman's capsule parietal cells and effacement of podocyte foot processes and the interstitium showed mononuclear cellular infiltration. A significant increase in damaged tubular cells, area percentage of periodic acid-Schiff-positive material and collagen was also detected. The use of stem cells produced a significant amelioration of all these results. Stem cell transplantation is effective in improving both the structure and the function of kidneys in nephropathic rat models

Histological assessment of zoledronic acid [Aclasta] in protection against induced osteoporosis in female albino rats

Osteoporosis is a major health problem that leads to morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to assess the beneficial effect of zoledronic acid in the protection against experimentally induced osteoporosis and to test the optimal dose that would result in this effect. Twenty-four female albino rats were divided into four groups [N=6]. Group I [control group] were sham operated. Group II [ovariectomy group] were subjected to removal of both ovaries to induce artificial menopause. Group III underwent ovariectomy, followed by administration of zoledronic acid [a single low dose]. Group IV was similar to group III except that they were injected with a single high dose of zoledronic acid. After 16 weeks, the femurs of the animals were prepared for both light [hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome stains] and scanning electron microscopic examinations. Cortical bone thickness and area percentage of collagen were assessed using the image analyzer, in addition to counting the numbers of both osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Group II showed significant reduction of cortical bone thickness with multiple cavity formation. There was also significant reduction in the number of osteoblasts and matrix collagen, as well as a significant increase in the number of osteoclasts, compared with group I. Scanning electron microscopic examination confirmed these results. Group III showed an improvement in these previous parameters; however, the improvement was marked in group IV. Zoledronic acid is effective in protection against induced osteoporosis, especially when used in a high cumulative dose

Histological assessment of the long saphenous vein in normal and varicose veins

Varicose veins occur due to weakness of the vein wall as a result of structural problems. Conflicting results were recorded about these problems concerning collagen fibers, elastin and smooth muscle cells content. This study aimed to clarify the structural abnormalities of varicose veins [with and without valvular incompetence]. Sixty specimens of long saphenous veins were obtained from 30 patients of both sexes [10 with normal and 20 with varicose veins]. Two specimens were taken from each vein about 3-4 cm from the saphenofemoral junction and were processed for histological [light and electron microscope] and immunohistochemical studies. Using the image analyzer, contents of collagen, elastin and smooth muscle cells, in addition to intimal and medial thickness, were measured and analyzed statistically. Light microscopic examination revealed significant increase in intimal and medial thickness and collagen content of media. Elastin content and smooth muscle optical density were significantly decreased in varicose veins compared to normal veins. There was no sign difference between varicose veins with and without saphenofemoral valve incompetence. Electron microscopic examination showed marked degenerative changes in intima and media as well as the adventitia of varicose veins. The structural changes associating varicose veins included intimal, medial and adventitial changes, disturbance in the connective tissue components and smooth muscle cells. These findings supported the theory of primary weakness of the vein wall as a cause of varicosity