Effects of insulin and metformin on fetal kidney development of streptozotocin-induced gestational diabetic albino rats / 대한해부학회지

Gestational diabetes mellitus is one of common medical complications of pregnancy. Hyperglycemia in utero impairs renal development and produces renal anomalies. Metformin has antioxidant properties and better glycemic control. Aim: assessment insulin and metformin effects on renal development of streptozotocin-induced gestational diabetic albino rats. Sixty virgin female albino rats were used. Once pregnancy confirmed, animals were randomly assigned into control, metformin, diabetic, diabetic plus insulin, diabetic plus metformin and diabetic plus insulin and metformin treated groups. Rats were sacrificed on the 20th day of gestation; fetuses were extracted and weighted. Fetal kidneys were extracted prepared for light, morphometric and electron microscopic examination. Diabetic followed by diabetic plus metformin treated groups revealed retardation of glomerular development in the cortical and Juxtaglomerular zones with a significant increase in the early immature glomerular stages and immature to mature glomerular ratio compared to other groups. Diabetic group also showed morphometric changes, shrunken and empty glomeruli, vacuolar degeneration and hemorrhage. Diabetic plus metformin group showed minimal improvement while diabetic plus insulin and diabetic plus insulin and metformin groups showed developmental, histopathological and morphometric improvement with best results in the combination group. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) possess deleterious effects on fetal kidney development. Insulin improves the glycemic state and decreases GDM effects on fetal kidneys. Metformin produces mild protection while the combination of insulin and metformin produces the best glycemic control and protect fetal kidneys.

Protective role of green tea extract against tamoxifen induced liver injury in albino rats

Tamoxifen [TAM] is a synthetic antiestrogen commonly used to treat breast cancer in women. TAM-induced hepatotoxicity has been described, including toxic hepatitis, massive hepatic steatosis, or multifocal hepatic fatty infiltration. Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide. Some studies indicated that green tea prevents hepatotoxicity and has antitumorigenic effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effects of green tea extract [GTE] against TAM-induced liver injury in rats. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups [10 rats each]: the control group; the green tea group, administered 1.5% GTE orally for 18 days; the TAM group, treated with 45 mg/kg/day of TAM for 7 days; and the TAM and green tea group, administered 1.5% GTE 4 days before and 14 days after TAM treatment. Animals were sacrificed at the end of the experiment. The livers were removed and processed for light microscopic examination. The TAM-treated group showed loss of normal architecture of hepatic lobules, hemorrhage, cholestasis, ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes, steatosis, inflammatory cells infiltration, Kupffer cells hyperplasia, and dilated and congested sinusoids and portal venules. Liver sections of the TAM and green tea-treated group showed normal architecture of hepatic lobules, portal triad, hepatocytes, central vein, and blood sinusoids. Green tea has protective effects against TAM-induced hepatotoxicity

Role of ginseng on mercury chloride-induced testicular lesions in adult albino rat: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Mercury is a toxic metal causing various adverse neurological, developmental, and reproductive disorders. Mercury exposure occurs through contaminated water and food. Ginseng [herbal medicine] can improve male fertility by acting directly on the pituitary gland and central nervous system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Ginseng on mercury chloride-induced testicular toxicity in adult albino rats. Thirty-two adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups of eight rats each: group I [the Control group]: the animals in this group received 1.5 ml of distilled water; group II [the Ginseng group]: the animals in this group received 100 mg/kg body weight of Ginseng; group III [the Mercury Chloride group]: the animals in this group received mercury chloride at a dose of 2.0 mg/kg/day. Group IV [the Ginseng and Mercury Chloride group]: the animals in this group received both Ginseng and mercury chloride at the same dose and route of administration as the previous group. The testes were removed and fixed. Paraffin sections were prepared and stained with H and E and Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining was performed for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Morphometric study was conducted and results were statistically analyzed. The study showed significant increase in body weight in group II and decrease in body weight in groups III and IV compared with the Control group. The gonadal index of group III showed significant decrease compared with both the Control group and group II. H and E sections of group III showed loosely packed vacuolated seminiferous tubules. Some germ cells showed a hyperchromatic nucleus, whereas others showed chromatolysis. Absence of mature sperms was noticed. Some tubules showed massive loss of germ cells. In the treated group [group IV] germ cells regained more or less a normal appearance. Ginseng can ameliorate the toxic changes of mercury chloride on the rat testis

Role of fish oil in gasoline vapor-induced lung damage in adult male albino rats

Background: Exposure to gasoline vapor is known to produce oxidative stress and induce pulmonary diseases. Fish oil was found to play a role in the prevention of chronic lung diseases through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Aim of the study: To study the role of fish oil in lung changes induced by gasoline vapor inhalation in male adult albino rats

Materials and methods: Eighty adult male albino rats were divided randomly into four groups of 20 rats each: control, gasoline-exposed, gasoline+fish oil-concomitant, and fish oil-treated groups. The rats of the control group were subjected to fresh air, whereas rats of the gasoline-exposed group were exposed to gasoline vapor for 10 weeks. Rats of the concomitant group received 0.5 ml/kg fish oil orally daily while being exposed to gasoline vapor. Rats of the fish oil-treated group only received fish oil. Right and left lungs were processed for light and electron microscopic examination, respectively

Results: Lung tissues of gasoline vapor-exposed rats showed collapsed alveoli, thick interalveolar septa, inflammatory cell infiltration, intra-alveolar exudates, hemorrhage, fibrosis, and hypocellularity. Rats of the concomitant group showed a marked reduction in these pathological features

Conclusion: There is evidence that fish oil can ameliorate lung changes induced by gasoline vapor inhalation

Morphometric study of sacral hiatus in adult human Egyptian sacra: their significance in caudal epidural anesthesia

The reliability and success of caudal epidural anesthesia depends on anatomic variations of sacral hiatus [SH] as observed by various authors. SH is an important landmark during caudal epidural block [CEB]. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the morphometric characteristics of the SH in human Egyptian dry sacra and pelvic radiographs and identification of nearest ony landmarks to permit correct and uncomplicated caudal epidural accesses. The present study was done on 46 human adult Egyptian dry sacra. The maximum height, midventral curved length, and maximum breadth of each sacrum were measured and sacral and curvature indices were calculated. According to sacral indices, sacra were divided into 2 groups [22 male and 24 female sacra]. SH was evaluated in each sacrum according to its shape, level of its apex, and base according to sacral and coccygeal vertebrae, length, anteroposterior [AP] diameter at its apex, and transverse width at its base. Linear distances were measured between the apex of SH and second sacral foramina, right and left superolateral sacral crests. The distance between the 2 superolateral sacral crests also was measured. The most common types of SH were the inverted U and inverted V [in male] and inverted V and dumbbell shaped [in female]. Absent SH was observed in male group only. The most common location of SH apex was at the level of S4 in all groups of dry sacra and S3 in all groups of lumbosacral spine radiographs, whereas S5 was the common level of its base. The mean SH length, transverse width of its base, and AP diameter of its apex were 2.1 +/- 0.80, 1.7 +/- 0.26, and 0.48 +/- 0.19 cm. Female sacra showed narrower SH apex than male. The distance between the S2 foramen and the apex of the SH was 4.1 +/- 1.14, 3.67 +/- 1.21, and 4.48 +/- 1.01 cm in total, female and male sacra, respectively. Sacrum and SH showed morphometric variations in adult Egyptians. The equilateral triangle is an important guide to detect SH easily and increases the success rate of CEB. Insertion of a needle into the SH for caudal block is suggested to be done at its base to avoid the anatomic variations of its apex