Effect of experimentally induced portal hypertension on the fundic mucosa of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of quercetin supplementation: histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical study

Portal hypertension [PHT] is a hyperdynamic circulation disorder. Its precise effect on the fundic mucosa remains a matter of controversy Evaluation of the effect of long -term experimental induction of PHT on the rat fundic mucosa and the possible protective role of quercetin. Forty rats were divided into the following three main groups; control, partial portal vein ligation [PPVL] and PPVL receiving 50 mg/kg /day of quercetin given intraperitoneal. After ten weeks from PPVL induction, samples from fundus of stomach were prepared for light and electron microscope. Tissue and blood samples were examined for inflammatory, oxidative stress and antioxidant markers. The number of parietal cells, area% of collagen fibers, PAS -alcian blue reaction, nitrotyrosine- and caspase-3 positive reaction were measured morphometrically and statistically analyzed. Fundic mucosa of PPVL group showed loss of normal architecture, exfoliation of the surface epithelium, inflammatory cellular infiltration and congestion of blood vessels in lamina propria. Parietal cells showed dilatation of their intracellular canaliculi. Many mucous cells had apoptotic nuclei. Chief cells had few secretory granules and dilated RER. Statistically, there was significant increase in the area% of collagen fibers, nitrotyrosine, caspase- 3 and inflammatory markers while area% of PAS-alcian blue reaction, number of parietal cells and tissue antioxidant enzymes showed significant reduction comparing with the control. Quercetin markedly protect fundic mucosa from histological and biochemical deleterious effects of PHT. PHT exerts a deleterious histological and biochemical effects on the fundic mucosa. Both antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects of Quercetin offer degree of protection for fundic mucosa, therefore, it may protect from gastropathy resulted from PHT

Effect of experimentally induced diabetes on adult albino rats' ventral prostate gland and role of selenium: histological and biochemical study

The relationship between the occurrence of benign hyperplasia and prostatic cancer with diabetes is a controversial issue. Selenium has been found to alleviate diabetic complications in many organs. To clarify the impact of diabetes on the histological structure of the albino rats' ventral prostate gland and the possible role of selenium supplementation. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided equally into three groups. Group 1 served as control. Group 2 was given a single intraperitoneal injection of 65 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin. Group 3 in which the rats, 1 week after diabetes induction, received 2 mg/kg body weight/day sodium selenite orally. Thirty days after diabetes induction, all rats were weighed, anesthetized, and sacrificed. The ventral prostatic lobes were dissected out, weighed, and processed for light and electron microscope examinations. The area percentage of collagen fibers, epithelial height, and acinar diameter were morphometrically measured. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS program. Examination of the ventral prostate gland of rats from group 2 revealed that the diameter of most acini was highly significantly increased when comparing it with group 1. The epithelial height of their acini was highly significantly decreased when comparing with group 1. Acini were lined by flat-to-low cuboidal cells with few papillary projections. The acinar lining showed focal areas of stratification. Few acini had columnar epithelium. Most cells had irregular-shaped nuclei, a dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, numerous electron-lucent vacuoles, and few secretory granules. Areas of irregular basement membrane were seen. Thick bundles of collagen fibers and cellular infiltration were seen. Examination of group 3 revealed that it nearly regained its normal architecture. Most acini had many papillary projections and were lined by columnar cells. Acinar cells had euchromatic basal nuclei, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and secretory granules of different sizes and densities, which might seem almost vacuolated with minimum secretory content. The body and prostatic weights were highly significantly lowered in group 2 in comparison with groups 1 and 3. Diabetes mellitus had a deleterious effect on the histological structure of the ventral prostate gland, and selenium could ameliorate diabetic effects on the prostate

Effect of caloric dietary restriction on the structure of aged skin and liver in male mice: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Caloric restriction [CR] exerts beneficial effects on most age-related degenerative changes throughout the body. However, its effect on aged skin and liver has not been thoroughly explored. To document the histological alterations of aged mouse skin and liver and to investigate the effect of CR on these changes. Thirty male mice, aged 1 month, were used in this study. They were equally divided into three groups. Group I [adult-ad libitium group] mice, fed an ad-libitum diet and sacrificed at 6 months of age, served as the control group. Group II [aged-ad libitum group] mice were fed an ad-libitum diet and were sacrificed when they reached the age of 1 8 months. Group III [aged-ad libitum group] mice were fed a calorie-restricted diet and were sacrificed at 18 months of age. Specimens from dorsal mouse skin and liver were dissected out and processed for light and immunohistochemical study. Epidermal thickness, area percentage of collagen, elastic fibers of the skin, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA]-positive cells of the liver were all morphometrically measured and statistically analyzed. Thin skin of aged animals [group II] showed a significant reduction in the mean thickness of nucleated epidermal keratinocytes as compared with the control group [group I]. Most epidermal cells appeared with small, deeply stained nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. The dermis showed a few disorganized collagen bundles and thin, short elastic fibers. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a reduction of bcl2 expression in the basal keratinocytes of aged animals. Group III showed signs of improvement of aged skin manifested by a significant increase in the thickness of nucleated keratinocytes and area percentage of collagen fibers. Most keratinocytes regained their characteristic histological appearance with increased bcl2 expression in basal keratinocytes. Regarding liver results, the aged animals [group II] showed many hepatocytes with pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm. A highly significant decrease in the percentage of PCNA-positive nuclei was estimated. CR animals [group III] showed preservation of the histological structure of many hepatocytes and more reduction in the percentage of PCNA-positive nuclei. Various histological alterations were observed in the skin and liver of aged animals. Beneficial effects of CR on these changes were recorded. In addition, CR protects basal keratinocytes from early apoptosis, permitting the renewal potency of skin epidermis. CR also induced suppression of hepatocyte proliferation, and is thus considered as an effective tool to suppress tumor genesis in the liver

Histological changes induced by experimental renal failure in the lung of adult male albino rats and the role of melatonin supplementation

Chronic renal failure may affect virtually every system in the body. The most common uremic consequences in the respiratory tract are disturbed pulmonary function and weak respiration. The present study was designed to evaluate the histological changes induced by experimental renal failure in the lung of adult male albino rats and the possible protective role of melatonin as antioxidant. Forty five adult male rats were equally classified into control group and two experimental groups [15 animals each]. In experimental group I, the rats were submitted to experimental renal failure by five sixths renal ablation. In group II, the nephrectomized rats were treated with melatonin [10 mg/l00 ml/day] orally for 12 weeks. The development of renal failure was monitored by serial estimation of serum creatinine and urea levels. At the time of sacrifice, all rats were anesthetized with ether and their lungs were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscope examination. The nephrectomized rats showed significant elevation in serum creatinine and urea levels. Light microscope examination of their lungs revealed massive cellular infilteration and congestion of blood vessels with marked thickening of their walls. The bronchiolar epithelium was distorted. Some collapsed alveoli appeared with narrow spaces. They were separated by thick interalveolar septa containing cellular infilteration, red blood cells, congested capillaries and fibrous tissue. Intra-alveolar macrophages and red blood cells were seen. Furthermore, electron microscope examination revealed pneumocyte type II with indented nuclei, few microvilli and loss of their secretory granules. Some collapsed alveoli were seen with thick interalveolar septa containing abundant collagen fibers and congested blood capillaries. Disorganized blood air barriers were observed. The nephrectomized rats treated with melatonin showed non significant elevation in serum creatinine and urea levels. Light microscope examination of their lungs revealed intact bronchioles and alveoli with some congested blood vessels and few cellular infilteration. Electron microscope examination showed intact pneunocyte type II and blood air barrier. The present study revealed that experimental renal failure induced adverse effects on the histological structure of the lung which was partially improved by melatonin supplementation. Clinical and experimental studies are recommended to explore the efficacy of melatonin in renal failure. If proven effective, melatonin would be an adjunctive therapy, since it is natural, orally administrated and relatively safe