histological and immunohistochemical study of the effects of leptin on the pars distalis of the pituitary gland in female albino rats

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone. The plasma level of leptin is elevated in obesity and decreased in emaciation. It is involved in the neuroendocrine regulation of pituitary gland function. The present work was carried out to study the histological changes in the pars distalis of the pituitary gland after an injection of leptin in female albino rats. Thirty just-weaned immature female albino rats [22 days] were divided into two groups: group I included 10 animals and served as a control group and group II included 20 animals that received a daily subcutaneous injection of 5 micro g leptin up to the end of the experiment. The females were subjected daily to vaginal smear. After the maturation was established, rats from each group were again subdivided into groups a and b, which were sacrificed 4 and 20 days after puberty, respectively. The pituitary glands were dissected and specimens were prepared for electron microscopic and immunohistochemical assessment. Leptin injection induced various changes in the pars distalis of the pituitary gland. Some cells had deeply stained nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. There was a statistically significant increase in the number of positive p53 antibody immunostained cells in the leptin-treated group, especially after 4 days of leptin injection. The most affected cells were somatotrophs, thyrotrophs, and gonadotrophs. They showed features of hyperactivity, with the appearance of some apoptotic cells. Later, necrotic changes such as pyknotic nuclei, ballooned mitochondria with destroyed cristae, and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum were observed. Prepubertal increase in leptin led to histological changes in some cells of the pars distalis. It is recommended to avoid increase in body weight, especially at a young age

Histological study on the possible protective role of parsley oil on prednisolone-induced liver and lung injury in adult male albino rats

Corticosteroids have been used extensively since cortisone was first synthesized in the 1950s, but it leads to the development of numerous side effects. Parsley is one of the most effective medicinal herbs. It has antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. The present study was designed to evaluate the toxic effect of the chronic use of prednisolone on the histological structure of the liver and lung and the protective effect of parsley oil against the changes induced by prednisolone. Twenty-five adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into three groups: group I was the control group; group II received 2 mg/kg/day prednisolone once daily for 1 month; and group III received parsley oil 0.6 ml/kg/day once daily followed by prednisolone after 2 h for 1 month. The liver and the lung were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscopic examination. In addition, a statistical study was carried out for determining the thickness of the interalveolar septum. In group II, some hepatocytes showed vacuolations and fatty changes and other hepatocytes revealed apoptotic changes. Lung tissue revealed sloughing of the bronchiolar epithelium. Hemorrhage and cellular infiltration were seen in airway spaces. Moreover, there was highly significant thickening of the interalveolar septa. Apparent increase in atypical type II pneumocytes with hyperchromatic nuclei was seen. Electron microscopy revealed vacuolated hyperchromatic type II pneumocytes. In group III, liver cells were normal except for some vacuolations in the cytoplasm. The lung continued to reveal significant increase in thickness of the interalveolar septa. Some type II pneumocytes showed hyperchromatic features. Electron microscopy revealed type II pneumocytes with a few lamellar bodies. Compared with the liver, the dose of parsley and its duration of treatment with respect to the lung should be markedly higher to have a significant effect, as the destructive effect of prednisolone on the lung is greater than that on the liver

effect of aspartame on the pituitary thyroid axis of adult male albino rat and the possible protective effect of Pimpinella anisum oil: histological and immunohistochemical study

Aspartame is a synthetic sweetener. Its metabolites can be toxic to many organs such as liver and kidney. Pimpinella anisum [P. anisum] has been used for different purposes as an antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory agent. The present work was carried out to study the histological changes in the pituitary thyroid axis of adult male albino rats after aspartame treatment and the possible role of P. anisum in minimizing these changes. Twenty-five adult male Albino rats were used. They were divided into three groups: group I was the control group, group II received 250 mg/kg/day aspartame once daily for 2 months, and group III received prophylactic P. anisum oil 0.5 ml/kg/day once daily, followed by aspartame after 2 h for 2 months. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed. The thyroid and pituitary gland tissue samples were processed for light microscopic and electron examination. Also, an immunohistochemical study was carried out for the detection of thyrotrophs. Light microscopic examination of aspartame-treated animal showed loss of architecture of the thyroid gland. Many follicles were small in size and others had disrupted wall and detached cells in their lumens. Some thyrocyte had pyknotic nuclei and deeply stained vacuolated cytoplasm. There was a highly significant increase in the number of positive immunostained thyroid-stimulating hormone cells. Most cells in pars distalis were hypertrophied with eccentric nuclei and a large negative Golgi image. The thyrotrophs and somatotrophs had dilated cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum, destroyed mitochondria, and few secretory granules. Some cells with secretory granules of both somatotrophs and thyrotrophs were frequently observed. The administration of P. anisum induced improvements in the degenerative changes of this axis. From this study, it could be concluded that prolonged consumption of aspartame induced disturbance in the pituitary thyroid axis. The use of P. anisum decreased the toxic effect of aspartame