Effect of induced diabetes mellius on the histological structure of the renal cortex of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of licorice extract

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic metabolic disorders worldwide. One of the major complications of type 2 diabetes is diabetic nephropathy. The present study was to investigate the effect of type 2 diabetes on the histological structure of the renal cortex of adult male albino rats and the role of licorice ethanolic extract on diabetic renal affection. Forty adult male albino rats were utilized. They were classified into three main groups: the control group [group I], the experimental diabetic group [group II], and the possible protected group [group III]. Type 2 diabetes was induced in rats in groups II and III by giving them a high-fat diet and a single low dose of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were divided into two subgroups: untreated subgroup IIa and treated subgroup IIb. The possible protected group received licorice ethanolic extract concomitant with the high-fat diet and the single low dose of streptozotocin. At the end of the experiment, the kidneys were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Fasting blood glucose level, fasting insulin level, serum urea, and creatinine were estimated and statistically analyzed. Examination of the renal cortex of untreated diabetic subgroup IIa demonstrated glomerulosclerosis and distorted podocyte foot processes. The cells lining convoluted tubules revealed thick basement membranes, disorganization of basal infoldings, and mitochondrial disarrangement. The area% of positive Bax immunoreaction was significantly increased in subgroup IIa as compared with subgroup IIb and group III. Examination of the renal cortex of the treated diabetic animals [subgroup IIb] revealed little improvement and failure of licorice extract to normalize renal cortical changes, most probably due to late intervention. In contrast, the protected group [group III] revealed a nearly preserved normal architecture. Changes in the renal cortical structure were attenuated with prophylactic therapy of licorice ethanolic extract

Influence of prenatal protein under nutrition on apical dendritic length and cytoplasmic RNA in pyramidal neurons of prefrontal cortical layers in albino rat pups

Protein malnutrition is a major problem in developing countries affecting mainly newborns and children during the most critical stage of their brain development. Protein deficiency can alter brain development causing structural and functional deficits. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of prenatal protein under nutrition on apical dendritic length and cytoplasmic RNA of pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortical layers in albino rat pups. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups [Control and undernourished], ten dams each. All dams were fed 20% protein diet till 14th gestational day, and then undernourished group was fed 6% protein diet. At birth pups were scarified by over dose of ether. The selected samples was fixed in Bouin's fixative, then processed and embedded in paraffin wax. Sections of 6 microm thicknesses were prepared for the methyl green-pyronin stain for DNA and RNA. Sections [median sagittal] 10 microm thickness in prefrontal cortex were prepared and stained with Silver stain. Silver stained sections were used for measurements of apical dendritic length of neuron in all layers of prefrontal cortex at x 400 magnification. Methyl green-pyronin stain for was used for measurements of optical density for RNA at x 400 magnification by using image pro-plus program. The apical dendritic length in undernourished was significantly less in all layers compared to control. Cytoplasmic RNA was significantly less in the cells in experimental group in all cortical layers compared to control; except layer V, was more in undernourished group than control. Prenatal protein under nutrition decreased apical dendritic length in all prefrontal cortical layers and reflected on the amount of cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA which is also decreased

Influence of prenatal protein under nutrition on neuron packing density of prefrontal cortex in albino rat pups

Nutrition is probably the single greatest environmental influence both on the fetus and neonate, and plays a necessary role in the maturation and functional development of the central nervous system. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of prenatal protein under nutrition on neuron packing density of prefrontal cortex in albino rat pups. Pregnant rats were divided into two groups [Control and undernourished], ten dams each. All dams were fed 20% protein diet till 14th gestational day, and then undernourished group was fed 6% protein diet. Taking undernourished diet from 14th gestational day. At birth pups were scarified by over dose of ether. The growth parameters [body weight, head length and biparietal diameter] were taken. Brain parameters [weight, width and anteroposterior diameter of cerebral cortex] were recorded. The selected samples from prefrontal cortex were prepared for toluidine blue stain. Number of neurons in each layer of prefrontal cortex was counted at x 400 magnification by using Image pro plus program. The results revealed that prenatal protein under nutrition decreased significantly growth parameters [body and brain weight, biparietal diameter and width of cerebral hemisphere]. Prenatal protein under nutrition decreased significantly neuron packing density in superficial layers of prefrontal cortex [I and II] more than layers [III-IV]. Prenatal protein under nutrition found to decrease significantly growth parameters in newly born pups. Also, it decreased significantly neuron packing density in superficial layers of prefrontal cortex due to delay of neuronal migration to these layers

Histological study of the effect of Aluminum on the brain, liver and kidney of adult male rats

Sixteen adult male albino rats were utilized in this work aiming to study the effect of chronic oral low dose of aluminum on the histological structure of the brain frontal cortex, liver and kidney and its interference with iron content of these tissues. The animals were classified into two equal groups [8 animals each], a control and an experimental one. They were housed in stainless steel wire cages and provided with distilled water in stainless steel trays. The animals of the experimental group received daily 20 mg/kg body weight of aluminum chloride dissolved in their drinking water for successive 4 months. At the time of sacrifice, all the animals were anaesthetized with ether inhalation and their brain cerebral hemispheres, livers and kidneys were dissected out carefully, treated with several stains and processed for light microscope examination. Examination of the frontal cortexes of aluminum treated animals showed the appearance of small, irregular and darkly stained cells in the superficial layers. The neuropil of all cortical layers showed numerous glial cells. Furthermore, astrocytes of this neuropil showed an observable depletion of the glial fibrillary acidic protein with thinning and disruption of their processes surrounding the blood vessels. On the other hand, liver sections of the same group revealed shrinkage of some hepatocytes and widening of the adjacent sinusoidal spaces. The portal areas showed congested blood vessels with mononuclear and multinuclear cellular infiltrations. Increased collagen deposition was detected around the central veins. Sections of the renal cortex of the same animals showed dilated convoluted tubules with absence of the luminal brush border of the proximal ones. Areas of cortical interstitial cellular infiltration and fibrosis were detected. Porl's stained sections of the frontal cortex of the treated animals showed the presence of scattered iron granules in the neuropil and around some blood capillaries. Liver sections of the same animals showed coarse iron granules in the hepatocytes, in the wall of the large branches of the portal vein and in the adjacent blood sinusoids. Also, scattered iron granules were noticed in the wall of some renal tubules and glomeruli. It can be concluded that despite the suggested low gastrointestinal absorption of aluminum, the results of this work revealed that chronic low dose of oral aluminum had cytotoxic effects on the frontal cortex, liver and kidney. Furthermore, the selective deposition of free iron granules in certain areas of these examined tissues may have the potentiality for induction of the observed alterations. Moreover, the observable depletion of the glial fibrillary acidic protein in the astrocytes of the frontal cortex may reflect an impairment of the astrocyte functions and the subsequent neuronal degeneration. So, it is advisable to avoid usage of aluminum utensils in food processing

Histological study on the effect of zinc deficiency on the lingual epithelium of adult male albino rats

Twelve healthy adult male albino rats weighing [200 - 300 mg] were used in this study aiming to demonstrate the possible histological alterations that may occur in the epithelium covering the lingual filiform papillae and the ventral surface of the tongue as a result of zinc deficiency. They were divided into two equal groups; a control and zinc deficient ones. Zinc deficient diet [less than 1ppm zinc] was fed to the animals of the zinc deficient group daily for 42 days. Whereas, the animals of the control group received the same diet supplemented with zinc carbonate to increase zinc concentration to 55 ppm. At the time of sacrifice, the animals of the two groups were anaesthetized by ether inhalation and their tongues were dissected out carefully and processed for light and electron microscopes examination. Light microscope examination of the dorsal surface of the tongue of zinc deficient rats revealed the presence of deformity of the filiform papillae with exfoliation of the horny layer of their covering epithelium. Also, the epithelium showed thickening of both prickle and granular layers. The cells of the later appeared large in size, irregular and lightly stained. In addition, the covering epithelium of the ventral surface appeared thick and keratinized with obliteration of the underlying connective tissue papillae. Electron microscope examination of the filiform epithelium of the same group demonstrated the cytoplasm of the basal cell layer with many vacuoles, Many irregular keratohyalin granules of different shapes and sizes were observed in the strata spinosum and granulosum, in addition to the presence of relatively thick tonofilaments. Also, partial separation of the cells of the granular layer and partial exfoliation of the covering horny layer were noticed. In conclusion, the present results showed that zinc deficiency resulted in deformity and hyperkeratosis of the filiform papillae, in addition to thickening and keratinization of the ventral surface epithelium. This alteration of the normal architecture of the lingual epithelium may be, together with the associated clinical complications, an available investigation for tissue zinc deficiency

Light and electron microscope study of the cardiac muscle of iron-deficient male albino rats

Twelve male albino rats [six weeks old] weighing 150-200 gm were used in this study to investigate the cardiac muscle alterations after inducing iron deficiency. The animals were divided into two equal control and experimental groups. The animals of the latter group received a diet deficient in iron, whereas, control rats were given the same diet with added ferrous sulfate. After five weeks, all the animals were anesthetized with ether and their hearts were carefully dissected and processed for light and electron microscope examination. Light microscope observations for cardiac muscle of control group showed long parallel muscle fibers with transverse striations and intercalated discs between muscle fibers. Electron microscope examination for the same group revealed cardiac muscle fibers with inter myofibrillar rows of sarcosomes. The nuclei of muscle fibers were large and oval and the myofibrils showed alternative dark and light b and s. The light b and s were traversed by dark Z-lines. Light microscope examination for cardiac muscle of iron-deficient rats showed distortion of some muscle fibers and areas of cellular infiltrations with congested blood vessels. Also, mast cells were demonstrated in the endomysium near blood vessels. Electron microscope examination for cardiac muscle of iron- deficient rats showed distorted nuclei of some muscle fibers, hypertrophy of Z-lines, narrowing of sarcomers and mitochondrial disfigurement. It was concluded that cardiac muscle of iron-deficient rats showed histological alterations, especially in the mitochondria, Z-lines and normal sarcomeric pattern of the myofibrils. So, regular check up of the hemoglobin level in the susceptible individuals for iron deficiency is recommended to avoid these changes