Bone marrow stem cells as a potential treatment of experimentally induced cartilage defects in the knee joint of adult male albino rats

Spontaneous proper healing of articular cartilage trauma in adults is rare and osteoarthritis might develop as a result. Cultured bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [BM-MSCs] could differentiate into chondrocytes, and might thus be a good choice for treating such trauma. To assess the efficacy of an intraarticular injection of BM-MSCs derived from young albino rats in the repair of an induced chondral defect in the knee joints of adult albino rats. Six young male albino rats were used as a source of BM-MSCs. In addition, 30 adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I served as a control. Group II served as a model of a chondral defect. Group III was subdivided into subgroups IIIa and IIIb, in which a cartilage defect was induced and sacrificed after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. Group IV was subdivided into subgroups IVa and IVb, in which a cartilage defect was induced and injected intraarticularly by BM-MSCs suspended in hyaluronic acid [HA] in the right knees and HA alone into their left knees and then sacrificed after 4 and 8 weeks, respectively. Histological, immunohistochemical, and statistical studies were performed. Group III showed healing of the defect by fibrous tissue. However, BM-MSCs- injected knees healed by hyaline-like cartilage, whereas the HA injection induced healing by fibrocartilage. Intraarticular injections of BM-MSCs suspended in HA promoted healing of an articular cartilage defect by hyaline cartilage. Thus, it is recommended to treat a traumatic articular cartilage injury by BM-MSCs

Histological and morphometric studies on the effect of alpha-lipoic acid on postovariectomy osteoporosis induced in adult female albino rats

An imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption underlined the pathogenesis of reduced bone mass in osteoporosis associated with menopause. To investigate whether alpha-lipoic acid can have any therapeutic application in treating bone loss in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats. Twenty-four adult female rats were divided into four groups: a sham-operated control group [group 1], a nontreated ovariectomized group [group 2], an alpha-lipoic acid-treated ovariectomized group [group 3], and a sham-operated alpha-lipoic acid-treated group [group 4]. Histological decalcified and undecalcified distal femur specimens were prepared and histomorphometric parameters of bone resortion and bone formation were carried out. Assessment of bone resorption parameters of the distal femur metaphysis and diaphysis showed that ovariectomy in group 2 produced significant increase in mean resorption surface percentage, 28% loss in mean cortical bone thickness, and 48% loss in mean trabecular bone volume compared with controls. However, alpha-lipoic acid administration to ovariectomized rats reduced the mean resorption surface percentage to control levels. Moreover, evaluation of bone formation parameters showed that both ovariectomy in group 2 and alpha-lipoic acid administration to ovariectomized rats of group 3 caused significant increase in mean osteoid thickness and in mean osteoid surface percentage relative to control rats. Alpha-lipoic acid also completely [100%] restored mean cortical bone thickness, restored 90% of mean trabecular bone volume, and ameliorated the osteoporotic changes that accompanied ovariectomy. Alpha-lipoic acid improved the imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation, and therefore it is recommended to treat osteoporosis with alpha-lipoic acid

Effect of omega-3 versus omega-6 fatty acids on induced ulcerative colitis in male albino rat. Light and electron microscopic study

Ulcerative colitis [UC] is an inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] well known by its exacerbated immune response. At present, a specific causal treatment for IBD is not available. The drugs currently used for management of IBD unfortunately are not devoid of potentially serious side effects. Polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAS] as omega-3 and omega-6 were reported to have immunomodulatory activities. Hence, may be of benefit in treating UC. The goal of this study was to illustrate the effect of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on ulcerative colitis induced in male albino rat. Thirty adult male albino rats were used in the study. They were divided into four groups; Group I served as a control group. Group II was used as a model of ulcerative colitis. Rats of this group were subjected to intracolonic enema injection of 1 ml of 2% acetic acid for three consecutive days. Group III and group IV were subjected to colitis induction and on the fourth day, daily oral administration of omega-3 and omega-6 was done respectively for 14 days. All rats were sacrificed on day 17 from the beginning of the experiment. Colon specimens were collected and processed for light microscopic, scanning and transmission electron microscopic examination. Ulcerative colitis induction showed mucosal injury. There were patchy areas with loss of crypt architecture, inflammatory cell infiltrate and ulcerated mucosa. Scanning electron microscopic study revealed areas of ulceration, whereas other areas showed alteration of the columnar absorptive cells. Transmission electron microscopic study revealed loss of apical microvilli of enterocytes with signs of degeneration. Administration of omega-3 completely treated the colonic structure, while omega-6 was by far less efficient in treating induced ulcerative colitis. Omega-6 fatty acids partially improved the colon against ulcer induction. Meanwhile, omega-3 fatty acid proved to be a more effective dietary management of ulcerative colitis without the adverse effects of either surgery or medications

Comparative study on the effect of retinoic acid, glycolic acid and salicylic acid on the thin skin of adult female guinea pig. light and electron microscopic study

Many products had been used as chemical peeling agents to renew thin skin. Retinoic, Glycolic and Salicylic acids were used in many dermatological diseases with hypdrkeratinization and/or hyperpigmentation. To evaluate and compare the effects of these acids on the thin skin of adult female guinea pig. Twenty animals were used and were divided into four equal groups. Group I served as the control group, whereas the other treated groups were topically applicated daily on shaved area of back skin with Retinoic [0.05%], Glycolic [12%] and Salicylic [10%] acids in Groups II, III and IV, respectively. Thin skin specimens were processed for light and transmission electron microscopic studies. Morphometric and statistical studies were done. Groups II, III and IV showed high significant increase in mean thickness of epidermal nucleated keratinocytes as compared to Control group. Group II showed proliferation hyperkeratosis and acanthosis and shrinkage of the sebaceous glands with decreased sebum production. Group III showed skin peeling by removing superficial layers of epidermis, cytoplasmic and nuclear degeneration with disruption of intercellular junctions and degeneration in melanocytes with marked decrease of melanin. Both Retinoic and Glycolic acids apparently increased the production of collagen and elastic fibers as compared to control. Group IV showed skin peeling mainly by direct action on intercellular cement substance and partially by inducing proliferation hyperkertosis. Both Retinoic and Glycolic acids showed complementary actions in treatment of hyperpigmentation and as chemical peeling agents. Salicylic acid also is a peeling agent, but its effects could be covered by either Retinoic or Glycolic acids. It is recommended to use combination of both Retinoic and Glycolic acids to give better effects on various skin disorders with hyperkeratinization and hyperpigmentation

Histological study on the effect of acid aspiration on the lung of albino rat

Aspiration of gastric acid is still a common clinical problem and potentially catastrophic since it is a life-threatening complication that can occur in patients with depressed level of consciousness. Pulmonary aspiration is a serious potential complication of pharmaco-sedation and general anesthesia. This study was carried on 75 adult albino rats divided into four groups to identify the effects and consequences of this injury on the structure of the lung. Acidic solutions of different pHs and volumes were instilled into the trachea of these rats, and studied versus time factor. It was found that the severity and consequences of this injury were affected by both pH and volume of the aspirated acidic solution. Morbidity and mortality following aspiration were enhanced with an increased volume of aspirate or a more acidic pH. The reaction was hemorrhagic and necrotizing when the aspirate was highly acid. Acid aspiration was manifested initially by a chemical burn resulting in an immediate and direct insult to the airways and blood capillaries, with subsequent hemorrhage, edema and damage to type I pneumocytes. The second phase was characterized mainly by mononuclear cellular infiltration, predominantly neutrophils. This resulted in destruction of elastic fibers and surfactant inactivation. This in addition to surfactant deficiency with subsequent degeneration in type II pneumocytes resulted in atelectasis. This was followed by fibrosis and regeneration of bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells. Since this injury is fatal, therefore it is recommended to eliminate its predisposing factors and to apply means of preventing its occurrence