Morphological changes induced by cottonseed flour in rat testes

Gossypol, a component of the cottonseed, has anti-fertility effects. The present study was planned to determine whether diets containing whole cottonseed flour could produce morphological changes in the rat testes similar to pure gossypol. Sixteen animals were randomly divided into two groups, Control [C] and Test [T] groups. Each group comprised of 08 animals. Control group received standard diet, while test group received 70% standard diet and 30% cottonseed flour. A significant decrease in body weight, testicular weight and diet consumption was seen in the test group. Histological sections were stained in serial order by three different stains, H and E, PAS and Masson's Trichrome. Microscopic examination revealed significant increase in luminal diameter [P<0.0001] and decrease in wall thickness of seminiferous tubules [P<0.0007] of test group. Cell count per tubule was significantly decreased in test group [P<0.002]. Degenerative changes in the epithelium were seen in 78.8% and degenerative cells in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules in 41.23% of tubules were observed in test group. Sertoli and leydig cell counts were not different from those of control. No disruption of basement membrane was observed. Pigment laden cells in the interstitial tissue were observed in the test group. The observed morphological changes induced by cottonseed flour suggest that cottonseed flour, by virtue of its contents of the compound gossypol is equally toxic to rat testes like pure extract of gossypol

Histological changes in parts of forgut of rat after indomethacin administration

Indomethacin, a non-steriodalanti-inflammatory drug, is used mainly for the treatment of painful joints such as rehumatoid arthritis, osteo'arhtritis, gout, ankylosing spondylitis etc. It relieves pain, reduces swelling and tenderness of the joints. It also induces ulceration of stomach and small intestine both in experimental animals and humans. In this study indomethacin was given intrapertioneally in maximum therapeutic dose [4 mg/Kg body weight] to three experimental groups B, C and D for one, two and three weeks respectively. Group A was the control group. Effects were observed in stomach pylorus and proximal duodenum. In the stomach pylorus, well defined superficial ulcers were identified during initial two weeks of drug administration. The ulcer penetrated as for as muscularis mucosae and ulcer bed had coagulative necrosis and inflammatory cells. During third week, stomach pylorus showed minor damage in the form of focal necrosis. Duodenum was affected less than stomach and showed villi with lost tips, tilted and distorted villi. Morphometric analysis showed changes in stomach pylorus and in duodenum. The number of mitotic figure was significantly increased in stomach pylorus. Duodenum showed insignificant to significant decrease in the height of villi. Increase in the number of goblet cells, columnar cells, and mitotic figure was also noted; which was undoubtedly part of the tissue response to an injury. These observations suggested that indomethacin given in a ma ximum therapeutic dose, initially induces lesions in stomach pylorus and proximal duodenum but almost no effects were noted when duration of the drug administration was prolonged

Heterozygous beta thalassemia in parents of children with beta thalassemia major

Beta thalassemia is the most common single gene disorder causing a major genetic health problem in the world. Beta thalassemia is common in Pakistan. This study was conducted to find out the pattern of transmission of beta thalassemia in the affected families. One hundred families having children with beta thalassemia major were analyzed at Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, Pakistan, for detection of beta thalassaemia trait. Screening was performed in both maternal and paternal parents and grandparents. Four hundred and fifteen [69.2%] cases of heterozygous beta thalassaemia were detected in the survey of 100 families [600 subjects], having beta thalassaemia major children. Altered red cell morphology such as hypochromia, microcytosis and aniso-poikilocytosis were seen in all these cases. Haemoglobin A2 level ranged 4.0-6.9%, MCV of less than 77 fl and MCH of less than 26.4 pg were found in all the subjects with beta thalassaemia trait. The frequency of consanguineous marriages in parents was first cousin 72%, second cousin 5%, distant cousin 4% and un-related 19%. Consanguinity was found to be present in most of the parents of patients with beta thalassaemia major. This can be minimized by health education, nation-wide screening and provision of genetic counseling to the affected families

Remission and survival rates of acute myeloid leukemia patients in Peshawar

Thirty four patients were diagnosed as having acute myeloid leukemia [AML] between July 1994 and June 1996 at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Aim of the study was to determine the remission rate, leukemia-free survival and overall survival of patients suffering from AML in the center. 20 [58%] patients were male while 14 [42%] patients were female. Median age was 30 years [range 5-59 years]. Twenty one [62%] of our patients were between the age of 17 and 36 years, thus more than half of our patients belonged to the younger age group. M1 and M2 sub-types were the most commonly encountered sub-types of AML in our patients. Minimum follow-up was for 12 months. All 34 evaluable patients received Cytarabine 100mg/m2 for 7 days and Daunorubicin 45 mg/m2 for 3 days [standard 7+3 regime]. Patients achieving a complete remission received four cycles of monthly Cytarabine 100mg/m2 for 5 days and Daunorubicin 45mg/m2 for 2 days [5+2 regime] as maintenance chemotherapy. Daunorubicin was replaced with 6-Thioguanine after 4 months of maintenance therapy. An overall response rate of 62% was achieved [complete remission in 50% patients and partial response in 12% patients]. Leukemia-free survival at 6 months and twelve months was 50% and 30% respectively. Our treatment strategies, results and difficulties involved in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia patients in developing countries are discussed