Assessment of the protective role of vitamine E in atrazine toxicity on the testis of adult albino rats: a histological and biochemical study

Atrazine [ATZ] is one of the most commonly used herbicides that adversely affect the reproductive system in rats. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of vitamin E [Vit E] on subchronic exposure to ATZ in testicular tissue. Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups: the negative control group; the positive control group, which received 1 ml of corn oil/day, orally; the Vit E group, which received Vit E at 100 mg/kg/day, orally; the ATZ group, which received ATZ at 300 mg/kg/day, orally; and the ATZ+Vit E group, which received both ATZ and Vit E at the previously mentioned doses. Treatments were given for 6 days/week for 45 days. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken to measure serum testosterone level. Semen analysis and estimation of oxidative stress markers catalase, superoxide dismutase, and tissue malondialdehyde were carried out. The testes were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. An immunohistochemical study was performed for detection of Bcl2. ATZ caused a decrease in serum testosterone level and in superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities, whereas malondialdehyde content increased. There was also a decrease in sperm count, viability, and motility in comparison with the control groups. Light microscopic examination of seminiferous tubules revealed degeneration of the germinal epithelium. The lumen contained sloughed cells and homogenous acidophilic material. Ultrastructurally, there was separation of the germinal epithelial cells with small dense nuclei and phagocytic remnants. Sertoli and Leydig cells were also affected. Bcl-2 immunolocalization revealed weak reaction in the cytoplasm of the germinal epithelial cells and Leydig cells. Concomitant use of Vit E caused partial improvement. ATZ induced detrimental effects in the testicular tissue that were attenuated by concomitant administration of vitamin E

Effect of partial bladder outlet obstruction on the histological structure of adult male rat urinary bladder and the role of L-arginine supplementation

Bladder outlet obstruction [BOO] is one of the most common urological problems in elderly men. l-Arginine, a precursor of nitric oxide synthesis, is thought to play an important role in the lower urinary tract function. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of partial BOO on the structure of the urinary bladder in adult male albino rats and to test the possible protective role of l-arginine. Twenty-seven adult male albino rats were divided into three groups: rats in group I served as controls. Rats in group II were subjected to partial BOO. In group III, the obstructed rats were injected intraperitoneally with L-arginine [at a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight/day] for 6 weeks. Specimens were processed for H and E and Mallory trichrome stains, desmin immunoreaction, and electron microscopic study. Morphometric results were statistically analyzed. Examination of the urinary bladder of obstructed rats showed an observable reduction in the urothelium thickness with focal sloughing of the mucosa as well as cytoplasmic vacuolation of some cells. Cellular infiltration and dilated congested blood vessels of the lamina propria were also encountered. Most smooth muscle cells were distorted with wide separation of muscle bundles and significant increase in the optical density of desmin expression. An increase in collagen fiber deposition was detected in the lamina propria. Ultrastructurally, the superficial urothelial cells showed electron-lucent vacuoles and large electron-dense granules, whereas the myocytes had irregular sarcolemmae. L-Arginine was able to prevent most of the observed alterations. L-Arginine showed a potential protective role against the altered urinary bladder structure induced by partial outlet obstruction. Further physiological studies on the detrusor muscle under the effect of l-arginine are recommended

Histological and biochemical study on the protective effect of losartan on rat renal cortex in experimentally induced liver failure

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion [I/R] injury is an unavoidable problem during liver surgery that often results in acute liver failure, with its complications. Losartan may be beneficial in such conditions. This study was designed to investigate the histological and biochemical alterations that could occur in the renal cortex in case of liver cell failure and to assess the possible protective role of losartan. Thirty male albino rats were equally divided into three groups: group I [control] was equally subdivided into sham operated-untreated [Ca] and sham-operated, losartan-treated [Cb] subgroups. In group II [operated], rats were subjected to experimentally induced I/R. In group III [losartan treated], rats were subjected to a surgical procedure and treated with losartan [5 mg/kg body weight]. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were obtained for the biochemical assay. The liver was processed for assessment of antioxidant markers and for light microscope examination. Both kidneys were processed for light and electron microscope examinations. The results were morphometrically and statistically analyzed. Light microscope examination of the operated group indicated shrunken glomeruli with wide Bowman's space. Some tubules were distorted with cytoplasmic vacuoles and cellular casts, whereas others were dilated. The interstitium contained an acidophilic material, increased collagen fibers, cellular infiltration, and congested blood vessels. Ultrastructurally, podocytes had small electron-dense nuclei and fused foot processes. Some renal tubules had small heterochromatic nuclei, mitochondria with disrupted cristae, and small electron-dense bodies. The biochemical results of the same group showed the occurrence of oxidative stress and deterioration in liver and kidney functions. The treated group showed preserved structure of the renal corpuscles and tubules. Liver I/R adversely affected the renal cortex histologically and biochemically. Losartan could be promising as an adjuvant therapy before hepatic surgery for rescuing the kidney from hepatic I/R injury

Role of coenzyme Q10 in testicular damage induced by acrylamide in weaned albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Acrylamide is a vinyl monomer frequently used in the polymer industry. It has the potential to adversely affect male reproductive capacity. Coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10] is a strong antioxidant. The objectives of this study were to examine the histological changes in the testis after the administration of acrylamide and the possible protective role of CoQ10. Thirty weaned male albino rats aged 21 days were classified into three groups of 10 rats each: group I was the control group; group II [acrylamide-treated rats] received oral acrylamide at 15 mg/kg body weight/day; and group III [protected group] received both acrylamide [at the same previous dose] and an intrsperitoneal injection of CoQ10 at 10 mg/kg body weight/day. After 8 weeks, blood samples were taken to measure the serum testosterone level. The testes from each animal were dissected out and processed for light microscope examination using Hand E stains and immunohistochemical stains for the detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Morphometric and statistical analyses were carried out. After the administration of acrylamide, variable degrees of tubular affection were observed. Some tubules were shrunken with disorganized germinal epithelium. Spermatogonia contained darkly stained nuclei. Cellular vacuolations as well as sloughed spermatogenic cells into the lumen were observed. The interstitium was widened with interstitial hyperplasia, eosinophilic material, and congested capillaries. Immunohistochemically, acrylamide treatment induced a marked reduction in the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunoreactive Spermatogonia and spermatocytes and an increase in the number of inducible nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive spermatids and spermatocytes. The concomitant administration of CoQ10 with acrylamide induced an observable protection against these changes. CoQ10 played a protective role against acrylamide-induced testicular damage