Effect of mesenchymal stem cells on anti-Thy1,1 induced kidney injury in albino rats

Objective: To evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in rats with anti-Thy1,1 nephritis. Methods: Female albino rats were divided into three groups, control group, anti-Thy1,1 group and treatment with i.v. MSCs group. MSCs were derived from bone marrow of male albino rats, Y-chromosome gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction in the kidney. Serum urea and creatinine were estimated for all groups. Kidney of all studied groups was examined histologically and histochemically (total carbohydrates and total proteins). DNA fragmentation and expression of α-SMA were detected. Results:Kidney of animals injected with anti-Thy1,1 showed inflammatory leucocytic infiltration, hypertrophied glomeruli, tubular necrosis and congestion in the renal blood vessels. The kidney tissue also showed reduction of carbohydrates and total proteins together with increase in apoptosis and in expression ofα-SMA. Moreover, the levels of urea and creatinine were elevated. Treating animals with MSCs revealed that kidney tissue displayed an improvement in the histological and histochemical changes. Apoptosis and α-SMA expression were decreased, and the levels of urea and creatinine decreased. Conclusions:The obtained results demonstrated the potential of MSCs to ameliorate the structure and function of the kidney in rats with anti-Thy1,1 nephritis possibly through the release of paracrine growth factor(s).

Effect of leave extract of Ocimum basilicum on deltamethrin induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in albino rats.

Deltamethrin is a pyrethroid insecticide used extensively in pest control. On the other hand it showed different toxicity in mammalian animals. Basil or sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a plant which showed many pharmacological effects. The present work studied the potential protective effect of Ocimum basilicum extract on deltamethrin-induced nephrotoxicity in albino rats. Treating animals with deltamethrin induced several histopathological alterations in the kidney. The renal tubules lost their characteristic appearance and their lining epithelial cells were degenerated. The glomeruli were atrophied and the renal blood vessels were dilated and congested. The intertubular spaces were infiltrated by inflammatory leucocytic cells. Marked elevation in serum creatinine and urea was recorded. Moreover, deltamethrin increased significantly the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) and decrease the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in renal tissue. Treating animals with deltamethrin and aqueous extract of basil led to an improvement in histological and biochemical alterations induced by deltamethrin. The biochemical results showed that creatinine and urea appeared within normal level. Reduction in the level of MDA (lipid peroxidation marker) and increase in the activities of SOD and CAT was recorded. It was concluded from this study that basil aqueous extract has a beneficial impact on deltamethrininduced nephrotoxicity in albino rats by its antioxidant effect.

Ginger extract protects metalaxyl-induced histomorphological and histochemical alterations in testes of albino mice.

Metalaxyl is a benzenoid fungicide used to control soil-borne fungal diseases on fruits, cotton, soybean, ornamental and grasses. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is example of botanicals which showed many pharmacological effects. The present study investigated the protective effect of ginger extract on metalaxyl-induced testicular abnormalities in mice. Treating animals with metalaxyl caused significant decrease in diameters and germinal epithelial heights of the seminiferous tubules. Histological results revealed that the spermatogenic cells were degenerated and exfoliated in the lumen of the tubules. Inhibition of spermatogenesis was recorded after 6 weeks of treatment with metalaxyl. Histochemical results showed decrease of carbohydrates and total proteins in the testicular tissue. Moreover, metalaxyl led to increase of sperm head abnormalities. Co-administration of aqueous extract of ginger improved the histological as well as the histochemical alterations induced by metalaxyl. This may be attributed to the antioxidant properties of ginger constituents.

Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale R.) on metiram-inhibited spermatogenesis and induced apoptosis in albino mice.

The effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale R.) on metiram fungicide induced testicular damage in albino mice was studied. Treating mice with metiram at a dose level of 1/10 LD50 (284 mg/kg body weight) daily for 6 weeks affected the testicular tissue. The diameters of the seminiferous tubules and heights of their germinal epithelium were significantly reduced. In addition, spermatogenesis was inhibited as indicated by the decrease of the number of different spermatogenic cells. Histological observations revealed degeneration of spermatogenic cells, congestion of blood vessels and destruction of Leydig cells. Evidences of apoptosis were observed in large number of basal germ cells. Moreover, significant higher numbers of Baxpositive germ cells and Leydige cells was recorded in metiram-treated mice. These results indicated that metiram affected spermatogenesis. Treating animals with metiram followed by ginger revealed an improvement in the histological changes observed in animals treated with metiram. Moreover, ginger treatment leads to a decrease in the percent of apoptotic cells and in the number of bax-positive cells. According to the present results, it is concluded that combined treatment with metiram and ginger can improve the histological alterations and reduce apoptosis in testis of mice. The ameliorative effect of Z.officinale against testicular damage induced by metiram may be due to its antioxidant properties.

Suppressive effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on topsin induced ovarian toxicity and oxidative stress in albino rats.

Topsin is a fungicide used against a wide range of pathogens in field crops, fruits, ornamentals and vegetables. The present work studied the effect of topsin on the ovary of Wistar rats and the possible ameliorative role of Ginko biloba extract (EGB). Many histopathological changes were seen in the ovary of rats after treatment with topsin. The number of ovarian follicles decreased and most of them degenerated which accompanied by increased of atretic follicles. Topsin significantly decreased the levels of both LH and FSH and increased estradiol. Histochemical results revealed an increase in carbohydrate content and decrease in total protein in the ovarian tissue. Moreover, topsin led to significant increase of LPO and CAT activity and nonsignificant increase of SOD. Treating animals with topsin and EGB effectively alleviated topsininduced ovarian toxicity. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that topsin adversely damages ovarian tissue through increasing oxidative stress, while EGB treatment effectively attenuates the toxicity and oxidative effect of topsin in the ovary.