effect of maternal exposure to di-[2-ethylhexyl]-phthalate on the lung of albino rat offspring: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Introduction: Di-[2-ethylhexyl]-phthalate [DEHP] is present in a wide variety of medical devices. Infants are more susceptible than the general population

Aim of work: To investigate histological and immnohistochemical changes in the lung of newborn rats in response to mothers' exposure

Materials and methods: Twenty nonpregnant adult female albino rats were used. After pregnancy, on the 15[th] day of pregnancy, dams were divided into two equal groups: the control group received corn oil and the treated group received DEHP [500 mg/kg/day] from the 15[th] day of pregnancy and during the 1[st] three weeks of lactation. Fifteen offspring from each group were subdivided into three subgroups, 1, 2, and 3, which were sacrificed at the 2[nd], 7[th], and 21[st] postnatal day, respectively. Lung specimens were processed for light microscope [H and E and immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen] and electron microscope examination

Results: H and E-stained sections of treated lung on the 2[nd] day showed variable-sized saccules. Primary septa were significantly thicker than those of the control group. However, on the 7[th] day, focally dilated saccules with thin primary septa were observed. Saccules and secondary septa were fewer than those in the control group. On the 21[st] day, variable-sized alveoli and a significant increase in septal thickness were observed. Immunohistochemically, there was a significant increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells on both the 2[nd] day and the 21[st] day, whereas they decreased on the 7[th] day in comparison with the control group. Ultrastructurally, treated lung on the 2[nd] day showed a saccular wall with many layers of interstitial cells, some with shrunken nuclei, whereas on the 7[th] day, thin septa were observed. Type II pneumocytes and interstitial cells had heterochromatic shrunken nuclei, whereas on the 21[st] day, the presence of macrophages was observed in the lumen. Interstitials cells and type II pneumocytes showed heterochromatic nuclei and marked distortion of organelles

Conclusion: DEHP induced marked histological and immunohistochemical changes in the lung. Alternative plasticizers with less adverse impact could be used. Further studies on the possible protective effect of antioxidants are recommended

Ultrastructural changes of the parietal cells of the fat fundic glands during rest and functional activity

The fine structure of the rat parietal cells was studied, both during rest, obtained by fasting, and after stimulation by refeeding. Twenty rats were divided into three groups: the control group [4 rats], the fasting group [4 rats] and the refed group [12 rats]. The parietal cells of fasting rats showed prominent tubulovesicular compartment and the canalicular profiles appeared dilated with smooth contour interrupted only by a few short villous processes. Cells examined after stimulation showed images of the tubulo-vesicular compartment and of the canalicular structure which differed both from the inhibited and from the control cell. These features included the development of long numerous microvilli and decrease in the tubulo-vesicular system. In conclusion, there was reciprocal relationship between the secretory and the tubulovesicular membranes in response to the normal physiological stimuli as fasting and refeeding

Electron microscopic study of the effect of H2 receptor antagonist [cimetidine] on the liver of rabbit

Thirty adult male rabbits were used in this study. Ten of them were used as a control. 10 received therapeutic doses of cimetidine [10 mg/kg body weight for 2 weeks] and the last-ten rabbits received toxic doses [300 mgm/kgm body weight for 2 weeks]. After sacrifice of the rabbits, pieces of the liver were processed for electron microscopy examination. The results revealed that, in the rabbits treated with the therapeutic closes, few lysosomes were evident. The mitochondria were swollen, but less electron dense and the rough endoplasmic reticulum appeared normal. Concerning the rabbits administered the toxic doses, the hepatocytes showed cell necrosis, destruction of the rough endoplasmic reticulum in some sites, lysosomes and phagocytic vacuoles. The mitochondria appeared more electron dense and smaller. There was retention of bile, and lipofuscin in some cells

Histological and histochemical studies of the effect of ionizing radiation on the lacrimal glands

The effect of ionizing radiation on the lacrimal glands was studied by histological histochemical and electron microscopic techniques. 48 adult male albino rats were divided into 3 groups. 12 rats were not exposed to any radiation, 13 rats were exposed to fractionated dose of irradiation and 18 rats were treated with single dose of 1950 rats. The effects of irradiation were studied one month, three months and six months after radiation