ABSTRACT
Objective: To immunohistochemically localize Bax proteins in pyramidal cells of cerebral cortex in hypothyroidneonates and to observe the effect of melatonin on these cells.Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.Place and duration of study: Animal House and Anatomy Department at University of Health Sciences, Lahore.Material and Methods: Nine female wistar rats were randomly divided equally into three groups, includingcontrol(A), propylthiouracyl(B), melatonin treated propylthiouracyl (C) group and allowed to conceive. Medicationwas given throughout pregnancy and lactation. After delivery, 10 neonatal rats from each group were sacrificedon 22nd day of life and blood samples were immediately collected from the cardiac region for evaluating serumlevels of TSH. The freshly extracted brains were immediately immersed in neutral buffered formalin for 3 weeksand later further processed. 3 m thick sections were sliced from cerebrum, deparaffinized and rehydrated, thenwashed in phosphate buffered saline and subsequently treated with primary and secondary antibodies.Results: PTU group had significant number of pyramidal neurons in cerebral cortex showing signs of apoptosis,whereas melatonin treated group showed reversal of these signs. Moreover, on serum analysis, the pups of damstaking PTU were severely hypothyroid whereas melatonin treated pups showed significant restoration of serumTSH levels.Conclusion: Melatonin preserves the structure and function of pyramidal neurons of cerebral cortex of neonatesif ingested by hypothyroid mothers during gestation and lactation.
ABSTRACT
Twelve male albino rats of 6-8 weeks old, weighing 150-200 gm each were divided into two groups of 6 rats each. Group A was used as control while Group B was given ethanol at a dose of 0.6 ml [0.5 gm]/100 gm/day for 8 weeks. Serum enzymes and liver histology was determined in both groups. Statistically significant increase in the mean enzyme levels, liver weight and volume were observed in the ethanol treated group compared to the controls. Histologically, hepatocytes contained large number of cytoplasmic vacuoles, pyknotic nuclei, and lymphocytic infiltration in treated animals. Ethanol appeared to be hepatotoxic in albino rats
ABSTRACT
To determine the gross structural malformations to the mice fetuses of the mothers given Ginkgo biloba during pregnancy. Experimental study. The Experimental Research Laboratory, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from May 2006 to December 2006. The teratogenic effects of Ginkgo biloba extract [78 mg/kg/day and 100 mg/kg/day] dissolved in water were studied on the gross features of mice fetuses. Three groups [A, B and C] of 6 females each were mated with 2 males in two cages with 3:1 ratio of females to males. The first two groups [A and B] served as experimental and the third [C] was used as a control. Pregnancy was confirmed by a vaginal plug and gravid female mice [6] were separated from the males. Group A was treated with human therapeutic dose [78 ppm] while group B was given a high dose [100 ppm]. Group C was given water only. Both experimental groups were given the drug orally throughout the gestational period. Result were compared using ANOVA with significance at p < 0.05. Forty-nine fetuses from B and C groups and 50 fetuses from A group were recovered. There was a significant [p < 0.05] decrease in weight and crown-rump length of fetuses in group B as compared to those from group A and C. Further, fetuses from groups A and C did not show any gross abnormalities, whereas those from group B exhibited a high frequency of malformations including round shaped eye and orbits, syndactyly, malformed pinnae, nostrils, lips and jaws. The results obtained substantiate the early finding that Ginkgo biloba can be teratogenic when given to pregnant mothers
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Male , Plant Extracts , Teratogens , MiceABSTRACT
Twelve, male albino mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were injected intraperitoneally, aqueous solution of gentamicin [80 mg / kg / day] for fifteen days and the effects observed on the kidney structure and function. Group A served as control while Group B was given gentamicin. At the end of the experiment, blood was drawn from each animal by cardiac puncture for renal function tests and kidneys were fixed for histological studies. In group B, values of serum urea [66.40 +/- 0.54 mg/dl] and serum creatinine [1.41 +/- 0.08 mg/dl] were significantly increased [p < 0.001] when compared with control group A [34.73 +/- 0.84 and 0.53 +/- 0.04 mg/dl respectively]. Both body weight [p < 0.001] and kidney weight [p < 0.05] decreased significantly in gentamicin treated groups. In histological preparations from group B, the proximal convoluted tubules in cortex were dilated and their epithelial cells showed hydropic changes with cytoplasmic vacuolations in some areas. Loss of brush border, patchy necrosis, presence of cellular debris and accumulation of inflammatory exudates within lumina of proximal convoluted tubules were also observed. The renal medulla from group B, showed an increase in intra-luminal tubular protein casts. Chi-square test showed statistically significant [p < 0.00] association between tubular necrosis and tubular casts. It is concluded that gentamycin is nephrotoxic in albino mice
ABSTRACT
The present study was designed to investigate the age and gender related differences in glome-ruli of the human olfactory bulb in normal Pakistani population. The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. The duration of the study was two years. Sixty olfactory bulbs, thirty each from male and female human cadavers [age 20-76 years] were collected from the mortuary of the King Edward Medical University, Lahore. Glomeruli were counted and their diameter was calculated from 10 micro m thick H and E stained histological sections. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA for age related differences and Independent [t] test for gender related differences. The results showed significant decrease in the number ofglomeruli [p < 0.001] and their diameter [p < 0.05] with age. No gender related differences were observed. The number of glomeruli and their diameter both decreased with advancing age
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Age Factors , Sex Factors , Olfactory Perception , Microscopy , CadaverABSTRACT
To investigate the age and gender-related differences in mitral cells of the human cadaveric olfactory bulbs. A cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, from August 2005 to July 2007. Sixty olfactory bulbs, 30 each from male and female [age 20-76 years] human cadavers divided into six groups of age and gender-wise were collected from the mortuary of the King Edward Medical University, Lahore. Mitral cells were counted and their diameter was calculated from 10 m thick cresyl violet stained histological sections. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA for age-related differences and independent t-test for gender-related differences. There was significant reduction in the number of mitral cells and diameter of their nuclei with age. There was significant decrease in the number of mitral cells in males, between groups I and II [p < 0.001]; II and III [p < 0.001]; and I and III [p < 0.001]; statistically significant decrease also occurred in females, between groups IV and V [p < 0.001]; V and VI [p < 0.001]; and IV and VI [p < 0.001]. In most cases, the distance between individual mitral cells was seen to be much greater than in younger group. In group VI, few mitral cells were observed in the cell layer. There was also significant decrease in the diameter of mitral cell nuclei in males, between groups I and III [p < 0.001]; and II and III [p < 0.010]; in females, between groups IV and VI [p < 0.001]; and V and VI [p < 0.001]. No gender-related differences were observed. The number of mitral cells and diameter of their nuclei decreased with advancing age