Effect of aluminum on the histological structure of rats' cerebellar cortex and possible protection by melatonin

Aluminum [AL] is toxic to the central nervous system, and melatonin [MEL] reduces lipid peroxidation by its antioxidant activity. This study was carried out to investigate the histological changes in the cerebellar cortex of rats after AL treatment and to detect any possible protective role of MEL when given concomitantly with AL. This study used 50 adult male albino rats, randomly divided into five equal groups. Group I: control group; group II: received daily intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection of 1/2 ml 0.9% saline containing 2% ethanol; group III: received daily i.p. injection of MEL at 10 mg/kg bw dissolved in 1/2 ml 0.9% saline plus 2% ethanol; group IV: received daily i.p. injection of aluminum chloride at 10 mg/kg bw dissolved in 1/2 ml saline; group V: received both AL and MEL. After 2 months of treatment, the cerebellum was dissected out from each animal and was processed for light and electron microscopic studies. Morphometric and statistical analysis were conducted. After AL administration, the cerebellum exhibited significant reduction in the number of Purkinje cells and prominent peri neuronal spaces in the molecular layer around basket and stellate cells. Ultrastructurally, some of the few encountered Purkinje cells were shrunken with dense cytoplasm, ill-distinct nuclei, and swollen mitochondria with ruptured membranes and cristae. Granule cells revealed increased condensation of their nuclear chromatin. Concomitant administration of MEL with AL displayed an observable protection against these changes. MEL may have a protective role against AL-induced cerebellar toxicity

Effects of exposure to phenobarbital on the embryogenesis in albino rat

Forty pregnant female albino rats of the Rattus Rattus Norvigicus strain were utilized in this work. They were divided into 10 rats in the control group, which were injected intramuscularly with distilled water [2 ml / kg / day] from the 6[th] to the 15[th] day of gestation, and 30 rats in the experimental group which were injected intramuscularly with 10 mg phenobarbital / kg / day during the period of organogenesis from the 6[th] to the 15[th] day of gestation. On the 20[th] day of gestation, the pregnant rats were sacrificed and the uterus and ovaries were removed. Gross morphological examination of all fetuses was performed then the fetuses were examined by free hand-razor blade sectioning, staining the skeleton with alizarin red stain and histological examination of serial sections of the fetuses using hematoxylin and eosin stains. The present study showed that administration of phenobarbital resulted in decreased number of pregnant rats which continued their pregnancy while the mean number of resorptions and dead fetuses was increased when compared to the control group. The fetuses exposed to phenobarbital in-utero showed under development and several congenital anomalies. The highest incidence of anomalies was recorded in the central nervous system in the form of hydrocephalus. Skeletal anomalies were observed in the form of delayed, incomplete or absent ossification in the lumber, sacral and tail vertebrae as well as bones of the hands and feet. Craniofacial anomalies were seen in the form of enlargement of the head, macroglossia, cleft palate, nasal septal defect and protrusion of eyeballs. Generalized oedema, cardiomegaly, bilateral polycystic lungs and club foot were also found. In conclusion, this study has revealed that phenobarbital administration during the period of organogenesis is teratogenic in albino rats. The possible teratogenic effect of phenobarbital in human being needs further investigations. The pregnant females should be prohibited from using this drug during pregnancy