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

Light and electron [SEM and TEM] microscope study of the fourth ventricle ependymal lining in rabbit

The ependymal structure of the floor of the fourth ventricle of adult rabbit was investigated using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Eight adult healthy male rabbits were anaesthetized with ether and sacrificed. Small pieces of the floor of fourth ventricle were taken. They were processed for preparation of paraffin sections, stained with Hx and E and examined by L/M. Other minute pieces of them were processed for scanning and transmission electron microscope study. The ependymal cells of the fourth ventricle were seen forming a single row of cuboidal cells with prominent rounded nuclei. Scanning electron microscope showed that the floor of the fourth ventricle exhibited different zones separated by prominent grooves. The ependymal cells exhibited a dense netweek of long cilia. These cilia gradually decreased towards the median sulcus where the ependymal cells were devoid of cilia, but instead they had microvilli on their luminal surfaces. Also pit-like holes appeared in the ependymal lining along the median sulcus, globular supra-ependymal surface projections were noticed. The transmission electron microscope showed that the cells apart from the median sulcus had long and profuse network of interwoven microvilli and cilia over their luminal surface. The cell bodies exhibited supranuelear Golgi complexes, few electron dense granules and multivesiculated bodies. These features suggested a secretory and/or absorptive role