Effect of garlic extract on age-related structural changes in the heart of male albino rat, light and electron microscopical study

Cardiovascular diseases in elderly are mostly ascribable to complications of coronary atherosclerosis, angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. So this study was carried out to detect the senile changes occuring in the structure of the heart of male albino rat, and to evaluate the role of garlic extract in prevention and treatment of these senile changes. Thirty male albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into five groups [six animals each]. Group I: [control group] included adult rats with age [6-9] months. Group II:comprised adult rats[6-9 months age] which were given oral supplementation of garlic extract [50mg/ kg of body weight/ day for 12 weeks]. Group III: consisted of senil rats with ages ranging between 12-18 months. Group IV: included animals of 9 months, which received oral garlic extract [50 mg/ kg of body weight/day for 12 weeks]. Group V: comprised rats with ages 12-18 months, which received oral garlic extract [50 mg/ kg of body weight /day for 12 weeks]. Examination of the histological sections of the heart of senile rats showed patchy areas of degenerative changes in the myocardium. These changes included vacuolation and hyalinization of the cardiac muscle fibres, even areas of necrosis were also detected. Haemorrhage and focal areas of mononuclear cellular infiltration were also noticed between the affected muscle fibres. By electron microscopic examination, there were disorganization and lysis of the myofilaments. The mitochondria appeared degenerated with lysis of its cristea. The nuclei of the affected fibres showed abnormal chromatin distribution. They were surrounded by irregular nuclear membranes. The coronary arteries were dilated and congested. Their tunica media contained foam cells. Increase in the collagen content was seen between the muscle fibres as well as in the wall of the coronary vessles. The heart of animals of group IV[with age 9 months and they were given garlic for 12 weeks], showed the same histological profile as in control sections. However, examination of the sections of the heart of animals of group V [treat ment group] showed improvement in most of the reversible cardiac changes

possible protective role of selenium against lead-induced changes in the structure of the kidney of adult male albino rat. Histological and scanning electron microscopic study

This study was done to evaluate the possible protective role of selenium on the renal changes induced by lead. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into four groups [five animals each]. In group I [control group] animals received daily equivalent amounts of normal saline orally for eight weeks. Group II included animals, which received selenium orally in a dose of 0.35 mg/kg body weight daily for eight weeks. Group III comprised animals, which received oral doses of lead acetate daily in a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight daily for eight weeks. Group IV included animals, which received both lead acetate and selenium concomitantly as the previously mentioned doses and duration. The kidneys of animals which received lead acetate only [group III] showed focal areas of lesions. Most of the glomeruli were hypertrophied, others were atrophied. Increase in thickness of the basement membrane of the glomerular capillaries and that surrounds the cortical tubules was also observed. Mononuclear cellular infiltration was seen in between the cortical tubules [DCTs] and the proximal convoluted tubules [PCTs] were noticed. The lumen of these dilated tubules contained acidophilic hyaline casts. Reduction in mitochondrial content in the cytoplasm of both PCTs and DCTs cells was observed. By scanning electron microscopic study, there was focal areas of degeneration in the glomeruli with fusion of the foot process of the podocytes. Some glomeruli appeared sclerotic. Degeneration was also apparent in the cells of the PCTs with loss of their apical microvilli. Peritubular fibrosis of both PCTs and DCTs was noticed. The histological picture of kidneys of animals, which received both lead acetate and selenium, was nearly similar to that of control rats, except for dilatation of some of the DCTs

effect of methionine on molinate-induced changes in the structure of the testis and the liver of adult albino rat. histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study

Molinate [Thiocarbmate] is a herbicide widely used in rice culture. Methionine, an essential amino acid, is a glutathione precursor. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of methionine against molinate induced testicular and hepatic changes in adult albino rat. Thirty male adult rats were used in this study. They were classified into five groups [six animals each]. Group I: control group. Group II: included rats which were given oral doses of methionine [150 mg. /kg. body weight] daily for three weeks. Group III: comprised rats which received equivalent amounts of corn oil daily for three weeks. Group IV: in which the rats were given oral doses of molinate [40 mg. /kg.body weight] daily for three weeks. Group V: the animals were given both molinate and methionine as the previous doses and duration. The testes of animals of group IV showed distortion of the seminiferous tubules [SNT] with dilatation and congestion of the intertubular and the capsular blood vessles.Accumulation of interstitial exudate was seen inbetween the damaged tubules. Disorganization of the spermatogenic cells with appearance of intercellular spaces were observed. Focal areas of necrosis were noticed in other SNT. There was an increase in the thickness of the limiting membrane of the SNT. Thickening and splitting of the tunica albuginea were also seen.Reduction in the alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in the limiting membranes of the SNT. In the livers of these animals, most of the hepatocytes appeared vacuolated with pyknosis of their nuclei. The cytoplasm of the hepatocytes showed reduction in its mitochondrial content as well as its glycogen granules. Dilatation and congestion of the central veins were noticed. An increase in the collagen content with mononuclear cellular infiltration were detected around the dilated blood vessles in the portal areas. There was an increase in the intensity of the immunostaining for the unspliced Bcl-X [a proapoptotic protein] in the liver cells especially in the centrilobular zones. These testicular and hepatic lesions were markedly reduced following concomitant administration of methionine with molinate

Beneficial effects of methionine on the testicular and hepatic toxicity of thiocarbamate herbicide in adult male albino rats

This study was conducted on 165 adult male albino rats divided into seven groups: Group I included negative control, Group II received distilled water, Group III received corn oil, Group IV [IVa and IVb] received methionine, Group V [Va and Vb] received thiocarbamate, Group VI [VIa and Vib] received methionine 1/2 hour after thiocarbamate and Group VII [VIIa and VIIb] received methionine two hours after thiocarbamate. Groups IVa, Va, VIa and VIIa were sacrificed after 48 hours; while groups I, II, III, IVb, Vb, VIb and VIIb were sacrificed after three weeks. Serum testosterone, estimation of testis weight, liver function tests [AST, ALT, ALP and T. Bil], histochemical and histopathological examination were done. The results showed that thiocarbamate caused testicular and hepatic toxicity and its severity increased by time. Methionine was found to be a promising protective agent against such toxicity through glutathione dependent mechanism. Also, the earlier it was given, the better protection could be offered

Effect of monosodium glutamate on the nerve cells of adult male albino rat. histological study

Monosodium glutamate [MSG] is one of the food additives which modify the flavor of food. This study was done to detect the possible effects of monosodium glutamate in its recommended and high doses on both types of nerve cells motor and sensory. 30 adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into the following groups: Group I control group. Group II included animals which received the recommended dose of MSG 4 mg/gm of body weight/day orally for one month. Half of these animals were sacrificed after one month from MSG administration, while the rest of the animals were sacrificed 2 months after stoppage of MSG administration. Group III, in which the animals were given double dose of MSG 8 mg/gm of body weight/day orally for one month, 5 animals were sacrificed after one month from MSG administration. The other animals were sacrificed 2 months after stoppage of MSG administration

Ultrastructural study on the effect of lithium carbonate administration on the kidney of adult male albino rat

Twenty-five adult male albino rats weighing 150-200 gm were used in this study. The animals were divided into five groups of five animals each. The results after intake of the therapeutic dose revealed fusion of the minor feet processes of the podocytes and apparent increase in the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane in comparison with the control group. Both proximal and distal convoluted tubules showed disappearance of their basal infoldings and evident mitochondrial degeneration in the form of swelling and loss of their cristae and dilated cisternae of rER were also noticed. In addition, microvilli of proximal convoluted tubules were lost in focal areas. The same changes, but in more severe form, were noticed after the intake of the toxic dose. In addition, there were tubular nuclear changes in the form of irregularity of contour, pyknosis or decreased density of chromatin