Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in a Rabbit Corneal Alkali Burn Model (A Histological and Immune Histo-chemical Study)

BACKGROUND: Alkali-burned corneas can seldom heal properly to restore corneal transparency. Treatment of this severe disorder of the ocular surface remains a challenge. AIM OF THE WORK: was to investigate whether systemically transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) can promote corneal wound healing after alkali burn. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty five male New Zealand rabbits were used in this study. The animals were divided into three groups. Group I; the control group was sham operated. Group II; corneal alkali burn was created. Group III; underwent corneal alkali burn then treated with BM-MSCs. All corneas were collected after fourteen and twenty eight days. Evaluation using H&E, PAS & alkaline phosphatase reaction was carried out. Immune histo-chemical staining for CD44 and vimentin was performed as well. RESULTS: the corneal epithelium of (Group II) showed marked alterations. Vascularization, cellular infiltration and irregularity of the collagen fibers were also seen in the substantia propria. Increase in the thickness of the Descemet's membrane was noticed as well. On the other hand, at the time of 28 days, Group III rabbits showed best histological results with nearly healed corneas compared to other groups. Meanwhile, vimentin was more strongly expressed in Group III assessing the differentiating ability of BM-MSCs. CONCLUSION: BM-MSCs could effectively promote corneal alkali burn healing.

Effect of high salt loading on the retina of adult male rats with special reference to aquaporin 1: a histological and immunohistochemical study

In the retina, glial cells control ionic concentrations by mediation of transmembrane water fluxes through aquaporin [AQP] water channels. The risk factor of a high-salt diet on renal and cardiovascular systems is pretty well known. However, it is not yet known whether a high-salt diet alone can affect the retina. The aim of this study was to determine whether a high-salt diet alone can induce changes in the retina and whether it may be accompanied by changes in the expression and immunolocalization of water channel aquaporin1 [AQP1]. Forty-two adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into three equal groups. Group I served as the control group. Rats in group II were administered 2 ml of a high-salt solution [8% NaCl concentration] once daily by means of a gastric tube. Group III was the recovery group. Retinal tissues were collected and examined by means of light and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical analysis using AQP1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP] antibodies was performed and the results were statistically analyzed. The retina of rats given a high-salt diet [group II] displayed obvious disorganization of the outer segment of photoreceptors, together with cytoplasmic vacuolations in the cells of the inner nuclear and ganglionic layers. Furthermore, significant increase in AQP1 and GFAP immunoexpression was detected. In the recovery group [group III] the retinae of some rats regained their normal histological appearance, whereas others failed to do so. High salt loading might alter glial cell-mediated water transport through AQP1 channels in the retina

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology means technological developments on a nanometer scale, usually 0.1-100nm. The application of nanotechnology in medicine offers impressive solutions for various life-threatening diseases. nanoparticle -carrying drugs can 'target' the drug to the parts of the body where it is needed, can escape uptake by the immune system and can cross biological barriers. Hence, providing reduced drug side effects and improved drug efficacy. With the advances in the field of nanotechnology, manufacture of nanorobot is expected to be created in the next 10 years. this automatic molecular machine can swim in human blood, can view full cellular details, can monitor levels of different compounds, and can store that information. This device can also be used to deliver drugs or perform wireless intracellular and intranuclear surgery. Nanotissue samples can be taken as well. Nanomedicine can hopefully conquer human disease, illhealth, and aging

Effect of microwave emission from mobile phones on the rat thalamus and the potential protective role of ascorbic acid: a light and electron microscopic study

Today, about half of the world's population, even at a very young age, owns microwaveproducing mobile phones. As mobile phones are held in close proximity to the head, the microwaves emitted may exert many effects on the brain. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of long-term exposure to mobile phone emissions on the thalamic neurons and the integrity of its blood barrier. This study also aimed to investigate whether ascorbic acid could ameliorate microwave-induced thalamic changes. Forty adult male albino rats were used; they were divided into four equal groups. Group I served as a control group. In group II, rats were exposed to 0.043-0.135 W/kg for 42 days [4 h/day in the light]. The microwave radiation was produced by a mobile test phone [model NOKIA 3110]. Rats of group III were subjected to mobile waves as in group II and they concomitantly received oral ascorbic acid at a dose of 250 mg/kg/day. Group IV received ascorbic acid only. The thalamic neurons of wave-exposed animals showed significant morphological necrotic changes. Some appeared markedly vacuolated ; others were irregular in shape, with densely stained nuclei. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm of some neurons showed prominent cytoplasmic vacuolization. A significant decrease in the mean area percentage of tight junction protein occludin expression in thalamic microvessels was also detected. In contrast, sections obtained from rats of group III showed a significant improvement of the microwave-produced changes but never reverted to the same state as the controls. Chronic microwave exposure could have a marked effect on the thalamic neurons and its blood barrier. Administration of ascorbic acid resulted in a significant improvement, but it was not sufficient to gain a normal histological appearance

Effect of chromium picotinate on histological skin alterations of streptozotocin - diabetic rats. a light and electron microscopic study

Chromium was believed to be an essential trace element in human nutrition. Evidence suggested that it played an important role in carbohydrate metabolism, mainly co-acting with insulin, improving glucose tolerance. It was also hypothesized that it could lower the risk of diabetic micro vascular complications. Was to evaluate the efficacy of chromium picolinate in ameliorating diabetes-induced histological skin alterations. Twenty five adult male albino rats were used in the current study. The rats were divided into two main groups, the control group [10 rats] and the diabetic group [15 rats]. The control group was divided in 2 equal subgroups. Group II in which diabetes was induced using streptozotocin [STZ] and was divided into 3 subgroups, 5 rats each. Subgroup ha formed of diabetic rats. Subgroup IIb formed of diabetic rats that received insulin. Subgroup IIc formed of diabetic rats that received insulin and chromium. The duration of experiment was 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, an area from dorsal thin skin was dissected out and prepared for H and E stain, electron microscopic study and immunohistochemistry for CD34 of vascular endothelial cells. Thin skin of subgroup ha showed significant reduction in the mean thickness of nucleated epidermal keratinocyles as compared to control. Most of epidermal cells appeared with deeply- stained shrunken nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significant reduction in CD34 area% of papillary and reticular vascular network. Ultra-thin sections revealed focal absence of hemidesmosonics. Disruption of desmosomes and widening in intercellular spaces were frequently detected. Treatment with chromium showed signs of improvement manifested by significant increase in thickness of nucleated keratinocytes and CD34 area% compared to subgroup Ila and llb, Most of keratinocytes preserved their LM and EM characteristic appearance. Chromium picolinate could play an important role in the long term protection of skin affection that might result from diabetes mellitus

Structural changes of the colonic mucosa induced by orlistat experimental study

Orlistat, an anti-obesity drug, is a lipase inhibitor which increases fecal fat excretion. Many workers had reported the harmful consequences of increased fecal fat excretion on colonic mucosa. So the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of Orlistat in presence of other risk factors [directly related to colon carcinogenesis] as high fat diet and colon carcinogen di-methyl hydrazine on the structure of rat colonic mucosa and cell proliferation evaluated by the PCNA index. The study included 50 male albino rats, which were divided into 5 equal groups. Group 1 served as a control group. Group II received high fat diet alone. Group III received high fat diet and Orlistat [32 mg/ kg] orally for 5 weeks. Group IV were subcutaneously injected by two doses of the carcinogen di-methyl hydrazine [DMH] [25mg/kg] together with high fat diet. While rats of group V received Orlistat, di-methyl hydrazine [DMH] and high fat diet. Histological examination of the colonic mucosa revealed presence of 3 types of structurally-altered crypts. The first type appeared with dilated lumen [typical aberrant crypt]. This type was significantly recognized in group II and III. However, insignificant difference in incidence of aberrant crypts and cell proliferation evaluated by PCNA index was encountered between group II and III. The second type of crypt alteration [hyperplastic aberrant crypt], appeared having a serrated luminal configuration, distended goblet cells and proliferating epithelial foci that might partially or totally occluded the lumen. The third type [dysplastic aberrant crypt] exhibited few goblet cells and/or crowded nuclei with variability in their shape and increase in their length together with frequent mitotic figures. Significant increase in number of hyperplastic and dysplastic aberrant crypts as well as PCNA index was detected in group V compared to group IV, determining the potentiating effect of Orlistat. Long-term use of Orlistat in presence of risk factors, as high fat diet and other predisposing factor for cancer colon, was associated with severe crypt alterations and enhancement of colonic proliferative capacity, putative biomarkers of colon cancer

Effect of aspartame on the frontal cortex of adult male albino rats. a light and electron microscopic study

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener added to 9,000 food and drink products. Studies and investigations are thus important to prove or disapprove the existing fears concerning aspartame. Was to evaluate, the toxic effects of long term aspartame administration on the frontal cortex. And to investigate whether immunostaining for neuron-specific enolase [NSE] and glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP], could help as valuable markers for evaluating neuronal and glial response to aspartame-induced injury. Fifteen adult male albino rats were used; the rats were divided into three equal groups. Group I served as a control group. Group II received aspartame orally in a dose of 250mg/ kg/day] for 8 weeks. Group III received aspartame as in group II, but rats were then left for 4 weeks to recover. Pyramidal cells of animals receiving aspartame showed significant morphological necrotic changes and appeared darkly stained or vacuolated. irregular in shape with pyknotic or faint nuclei. Ultra structurally, the cytoplasm of pyramidal cells showed prominent vacuolization, mitochondria with indistinct cristae. Neurons in aspartame group were statistically significantly less stained by anti-NSE antibody than control group. A significant increase in the number of UFAP immunoreactive astrocytes was also detected. Whereas. sections obtained from rats of group Ill showed significant improvement of the aspartanle produced changes but never returned to control ones. The results of tl1e study demonstrated that the content of NSE of neurons and the number of GFAP [+] astrocytes could serve as molecular markers for neuronal injury, regeneration and astrocytic proliferation, respectively. Chronic aspartame ingestion could result in marked affection of the frontal cortex. Four weeks of cessation was not sufficient to obtain a normal histological appearance

comparative study of the effect of Budesonide versus prednisolone on adrenal gland of the male rabbit

Although oral glucocorticoids are the treatment of choice for moderate to severe pancolitis, their systemic side effects and adrenal suppression account for considerable morbidity. Budesonide is a new intestinal topical active glucocorticoid which displays high therapeutic efficacy and high systemic tolerability. To deliver the active drug to ileal and ileocecal area, Budesonide has been formulated into enterocapsule preparation. Several studies compared the efficacy of Budesonide with that of Prednisolone. However, few determined the extent of adrenocortical suppression occurring with both drugs on histological basis. In this work, fifteen adult male New Zealand albino rabbits were used. They were classified into three equal groups. Group I served as control. Group II included animals that received intragastrically one tablet of 5 mg prednisolone daily for four weeks. Group III included animals that received orally one capsule of entocort containing 3 mg budesonide every other day for four weeks. The adrenals were processed for histological and immunohistochemical study. In the present comparative study, evidence of adrenal suppression was significantly greater in the prednisolone group than in budesonide treated animals. Light microscopic examination of H and E stained sections of prednisolone group, revealed an apparent decrease in the size of zona fasciulata cells which was proved significant by morphometric study. Moreover, Oil red stained sections of group II demonstrated a relative decrease in cytoplasmic lipid content of both zona glomerulosa and fasciculata. Using chromaffin reaction, it was noticed that there was a relative increase in the number of nor-epinephrine cells than in group III. Immunohistochemical study showed that most of the nuclei of cells in zona fasciculata in group II were negatively stained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] which was further proved significant morphometrically using the PCNA index. Thus it was concluded that, the budesonide preparation is associated with much less impairment of adrenal axis function. Therefore, budesonide offers a useful advance in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease