Light and electron microscopic study on the effect of diazepam on the cardiac muscle of adult albino rat and the possible role of garlic

Diazepam is a drug that belongs to a group of pharmacological agents called benzodiazepines. Several studies have indicated that diazepam exerts a myocardial depressant effect. Garlic preparations have been used widely for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. This work aimed to study the effect of diazepam on the cardiac muscle of adult albino rat and the possible role of garlic as a protective agent. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups: control group, garlic-treated group [250mg/kg body weight], diazepam-treated group [1mg/kg body weight], and both garlic and diazepam-treated group. The animals were treated orally daily for 4 weeks. Specimens from the cardiac muscle were processed for light and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical study was carried out using an antibody against vimentin. Specimens from diazepam-treated animals showed focal disruption of cardiac myocytes, peripheral deeply stained nuclei, and vacuolated sarcoplasm. Focal aggregation of mononuclear cells and dilated congested blood vessels were also observed in between the myocytes. Ultrastructurally, irregular indented nuclei, focal lysis of the myofibrils, loss of normal cross striations, swelling of mitochondria, and distortion of intercalated disks were also observed. Immunohistochemical study showed a highly significant increase in vimentin immunoreaction in the endomysial and perimysial sheaths, in the walls of blood vessels, and in some interstitial cells. In contrast, minimal changes were observed in rats treated concomitantly with both garlic and diazepam, with a non significant increase in the immunoreaction. Diazepam induced structural changes in rat cardiac muscle that could be ameliorated by concomitant treatment with garlic

Histological study of hysteroscopy guided endometrial biopsy from secondary infertile patients after removal of a copper intrauterine contraceptive device

The intrauterine device [IUD] is a long-acting reversible method of contraception. Copper T380 IUD is a copper-wrapped T-shaped IUD containing no hormones. Although the IUD has been a contraceptive method for about 50 years, the possibility of causing subsequent secondary infertility remains controversial. This work was conducted to study the endometrial structure in patients suffering from secondary infertility after copper IUD removal. Thirty secondary infertile patients aged between 20 and 35 years were classified into two groups: the control group [10 patients], with no past history of IUD insertion, and the IUD group [20 patients], with a history of copper IUD insertion for 6 months to 3 years [subgroup B1] or for more than 3 years [subgroup B2]. Preovulatory hysteroscopy-guided endometrial biopsies were obtained and processed for light microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Specimens from subgroup B1 showed focal loss of surface epithelium, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and small dark nuclei in surface epithelial cells. The stroma showed extravasated red blood cells, wide empty spaces, and cellular infiltration. In addition, the uterine glands of subgroup B2 appeared irregular and dilated with accumulated secretion and cellular debris as well as epithelial stratification. Ultrastructurally, focal loss, distortion and swelling of microvilli, indented nuclei, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, swollen mitochondria, and secondary lysosomes were observed in the surface epithelial cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed focal loss of microvilli, irregular surface, and mushroom-like protrusions in subgroup B1. These changes were more prominent in subgroup B2 with the appearance of fissures and corrugation of the surface. Copper IUD could induce different degrees of structural changes in the endometrium, which were directly proportional to the duration of IUD insertion. These changes could explain the secondary infertility that may occur in some cases after IUD removal

Histological and immunohistochemical study of the effect of monosodium l-glutamate on the jejunal mucosa of adult albino rat and the possible role of propolis

Introduction: Monosodium l-glutamate [MSG] is used as a flavor-enhancing agent in many kinds of food products. It has been considered to induce a variety of side effects. Propolis is a bee product that has a broad spectrum of biological activities including antioxidative, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects

Aim of the work: This work aimed to study the effect of MSG on the jejunal mucosa of adult albino rat and to evaluate the possible role of propolis as a protective agent

Materials and methods: Adult male albino rats [n=40] were randomly divided into four equal groups: control group, propolis-treated group [100 mg/kg body weight], MSG-treated group [15 mg/kg body weight], and a group treated with both propolis and MSG. The animals were treated orally once daily for 6 weeks. Specimens from the jejunum were processed for light and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical study was carried out to detect the inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase in the epithelial cells covering the villi and lining the crypts. The results were analyzed statistically

Results: Specimens from MSG-treated animals showed distortion and focal loss of the villi, disorganization and shedding of the enterocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and nuclear irregularity. The lamina propria showed congested dilated blood capillaries and infiltration with inflammatory cells. Ultrastructurally, focal loss of microvilli, widening of the intercellular spaces, and swollen mitochondria with disrupted cristae were observed in some enterocytes. Immunohistochemical study showed a highly significant increase in the immunoreaction in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells. In contrast, minimal changes were observed in rats treated concomitantly with both propolis and MSG, with a nonsignificant increase in the immunoreaction

Conclusion: MSG induced structural changes in rat jejunal mucosa that could be ameliorated by concomitant treatment with propolis

Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of polyhexanide-preserved contact lens solution on albino rat cornea and the possible protective role of carboxymethylcellulose

The use of contact lenses has been widespread for the correction of vision or even for cosmetic reasons. The common use of solutions containing polyhexanide warranted an investigation into the possible effects of this agent on corneal structure. Carboxymethylcellulose is commonly used in artificial tears. It may have cytoprotective properties on the ocular surface. This study was conducted to evaluate the histological changes that may occur in rat cornea after long-term exposure to a polyhexanide-preserved contact lens solution and the possible protective role of carboxymethylcellulose. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups; control group, carboxymethylcellulose-treated group, polyhexanide-preserved solution-treated group and the fourth group was treated with carboxymethylcellulose followed by polyhexanide- preserved solution. The animals were treated topically once daily for eight weeks. Corneal specimens were processed for both light and electron microscopy. Cellular proliferation was further evaluated immunohistochemically using the Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen [PCNA]. Specimens of animals treated with polyhexanide-preserved solution showed focal cytoplasmic vacuolation, nuclear pyknosis, swollen mitochondria in the epithelial cells with widening of intercellular spaces. The stroma showed disorganized collagen fibrils, vascularization and cellular infiltration. The endothelial cells showed cytoplasmic vacuolation, swollen mitochondria and were abnormally stratified. Immunohistochemical study revealed a non significant increase in PCNA-positive nuclei in the epithelial cells. In contrast, corneal structure was more preserved in rats treated by pre-application of carboxymethylcellulose followed by the contact lens solution with a highly significant increase in PCNA-positive nuclei. Long-term topical application of polyhexanide-preserved contact lens solution induced structural changes in the cornea that could be partially minimized by pre-application of carboxymethylcellulose

possible protective effect of corticosteroids on bleomycin induced pulmonary toxicity light and electron microscopic study

Bleomycin is an antitumor antibiotic having a high significant activity and wide use in the clinical field. The most serious adverse reaction to bleornycin therapy is the life-threatening pulmonary toxicity and fibrosis. Was to study the effect of bleomycin injection with and without corticosteroid on the lung of adult male albino rat using light and electron microscopy. 30 adult male albino rats were used dividing into two main groups; group A [control group], group B [experimental group] included 20 rats, ten rats each injected i.p with 0.5 mg of bleomycin sulphate twice weekly for four weeks and ten rats each injected i.p with 0.5 mg of bleomycin sulphate twice weekly for 4 weeks in concomitant with daily i.m. injection of 0.4 mg of prednisolone for the same period. Bleomycin treatment induced variable degrees of lung injury disrupting the normal architecture. Overexpansion of alveoli alternating with collapse of others, congestion of blood vessels, cellular infiltration and fibrosis were all observed. Ultrastructurally, pneumocyte II showing disrupted mitochondria and destruction of lamellar bodies. Pneurnocytes type II were predominant replacing the disappeared pneumocyte type I in the alveolar lining. Activation of alveolar macrophages and deposition of collagen fibres in the interstitial tissue were all noticed. Concomitant use of bleomycin with pridnisolone revealed the same histological changes. Only the pneumocyte type II proliferation was less and increase in collagen fibers deposition was not observed comparing with control. Corticosteroids inhibited or at least delayed pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin treatment

Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of tretinoin on the thin skin of adult male albino rat

Vitamin A is important for epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation. Synthetic vitamin A derivatives, known as retinoids, have been extensively used in the last few years to treat a variety of clinical skin conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological changes in rat thin skin that might result from long term exposure to a retinoid derivative [tretinoin] and the possibility of recovery after its withdrawal. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups; control group, tretinointreated group, and the third group was topically treated with tretinoin cream for four weeks, then the animals were left without treatment for another four weeks. Skin specimens were processed and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and with Mallory's trichrome stain while ultrathin sections were contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. The epidermal thickness was measured and the results were statistically analysed. The effect of tretinoin on cell proliferation was further evaluated immunohistochemically using the proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA]. Specimens from tretinoin-treated animals showed focal vacuolation of the keratinocytes with widening of intercellular spaces, an increase in keratohyalin granules of stratum granulosum and disorganized cells of stratum corneum. There was also a statistically highly significant increase in the epidermal thickness. The dermis showed increased collagen content and cellular infiltration mainly formed of fibroblasts. Immunohistochemical study revealed a highly significant increase in PCNA-positive nuclei in the epidermal cells. The recovery group showed mild affection of skin structure. Long-term exposure to tretinoin may induce structural changes in rat skin, being partially reversible after withdrawal of the drug. Therefore, the use of tretinoin should be restricted to the advice of dermatologists

Effect of simvastatin on the exocrine part of the pancreas in adult albino rat and the possible protective role of coenzyme Q10: a light and electron microscopic study

The statins represent the drugs of choice for treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. Because of the common use of statins [including simvastatin], both physicians and patients have demonstrated valid concerns about the safety associated with the use of such medications. This work was performed to study the effect of simvastatin on the exocrine part of the pancreas and to evaluate the possible protective role of Coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10]. The present study was carried out on 35 adult male albino rats which were divided into; group I [control group], group II [given 1.44 mg of simvastatin once daily for 12 weeks] and group III [given simvastatin in the same dose concomitantly with 3.6 mg of CoQ10 once daily for the same period]. The specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. Sections of simvastatin-treated rats showed morphological changes in acinar cells in the form of pyknotic nuclei, cytoplasmic vacuolation, abnormal shape of acini, congestion of blood vessels and widening of interstitial tissue. By Verhoeff's Van Gieson's stain, dissolution of elastic laminae was detected in some blood vessels. Ultrastructurally, there were variation of electron density of zymogen granules, dilation of both RER and perinuclear space, large vacuoles and damaged mitochondria in some acinar cells. The above findings were less prominent in animals treated with both simvastatin and CoQ10. Simvastatin has a harmful effect on the exocrine part of the pancreas and it is advisable that patients receiving simvastatin could use CoQ10 to minimize its side effects

effect of chloroquine on the retina of adult male albino rat and the possible protective role of Ginkgo biloba extract. A histological and immunohistochemical study

Chloroquine is an antimalarial drug and is widely used for the treatment of various rheumatic diseases. Unfortunately, its use has been associated with the development of toxic retinopathy. Because treatment with chloroquine is sometimes inevitable, interventions that abolish or at least attenuate retinal affection are of great importance. Several studies indicated that antioxidants may be beneficial for those at risk of developing retinal diseases. Of these, Ginkgo biloba extract [EGb 761] is a recently used agent for its known oxygenated radical scavenging properties. For demonstration of the effect of chloroquine on retinal structure and the possible protective role of EGb 761, forty adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into four equal groups; control group, EGb 761-treated group [100 mg/Kg body weight], chloroquine-treated group [28 mg/Kg body weight] and the fourth group was concomitantly treated with both EGb 761 and chloroquine. The animals were treated orally daily for 4 weeks and retinal specimens were examined by light and electron microscopy. Moreover, immunohistochemical study was performed to explore immunoreactivity for caspase-3 as an apoptotic marker. Light microscopic examination revealed structural changes in the retina of chloroquine-treated animals such as vacuolation of retinal pigment epithelial cells and photoreceptors, displacement of some cells of the outer and inner nuclear layers, pyknotic and fragmented nuclei in the inner nuclear layer as well as vascular congestion. Many caspase-3 positive cells were also observed in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. Electron microscopy showed marked disorganization of photoreceptors and accumulation of lysosomes in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Condensation of nuclear chromatin was also observed in many nerve cells in inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. Many Muller cells and microglia were detected inbetween the nerve cells. On the contrary, retinal structure was more preserved in EGb 761-treated rats. These findings suggested that EGb 761 could reduce the severity of chloroquine-induced retinopathy