Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on fundic gastric mucosal damage induced by acetyl salicylic acid: a histological study

alpha-Lipoic acid [ALA], an endogenous agent, has been shown to combat oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective effect of ALA on fundic gastric mucosal damage induced by acetyl salicylic acid [ASA]. Fifty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups: group I [the control group], group II that received ALA for 2 weeks [subgroup IIa] and for 4 weeks [subgroup IIb], group III that received ASA for 2 weeks [subgroup IIIa] and for 4 weeks [subgroup IIIb], and group IV that received ALA 30 min before ASA for 2 weeks [subgroup IVa] and for 4 weeks [subgroup IVb]. At the end of the experiment, specimens from the fundus of the stomach were processed for light and electron microscopic examinations. The mean number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA]-positive cells, parietal cells, and the mean thickness of the fundic mucosa were measured and the results were statistically analyzed. Examination of sections revealed that ASA for 2 weeks induced widening of the gastric pits and focal mononuclear cellular infiltration. The mucous content of the mucosa was apparently increased and PCNA-positive cells were significantly decreased compared with the control group. ASA for 4 weeks resulted in extensive desquamation, thinning out of the mucosa, and diffuse mononuclear cellular infiltration. The collagen content of the lamina propria showed an apparent increase, whereas the mucous content showed an apparent decrease. The parietal cell count and the PCNA-positive cells were significantly decreased compared with the control group. In ultrathin sections, parietal cells showed cytoplasmic vacuoles, decreased intracellular canaliculi, and mitochondria, whereas the chief cells showed dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and decreased secretory granules. Concomitant use of ALA showed a histological profile nearly comparable with that of the control group in both subgroups IVa and IVb. ALA administration prevented the structural changes of the gastric mucosa induced by ASA

Histological study on the effect of aminoguanidine on the cornea of rat of streptozotocin induced diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide at an alarming rate. Patient morbidity related to diabetic induced ocular complications has increased year on year proportionate with the worldwide increase in the incidence of diabetes. Diabetic keratopathy is a common ocular complication of diabetes. The present study tried to investigate the effects of experimentally induced diabetes by Streptozotocin [STZ] on the structure of cornea and the role of aminoguanidinc administration to ameliorate these effects.Twenty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups five animals each; Group I [control group]. Group II [diabetic]. Group III [diabetic and aminoguanidine]. Group IV [non diabetic and aminoguanidine]. At the end of experiment, the rats were sacrificed and the corneas of different groups were processed for light and electron microscopic examination. Immunohistochemical study was done using caspase-3 to detect the apoptotic changes. The thickness of corneal layers was measured by image analyzer and statistical analysis was done. Light microscopic examination of group II revealed marked histological alteration in the form of degenerative changes. Immunohistochemical reaction showed increased number of apoptotic cells in most layers of the cornea. Statistical analysis of group II revealed a significant increase in thickness of all corneal layers as compared to all groups. Electron microscopic examination revealed irregularity of the basement membrane of corneal epithelium. The stroma showed focal loss of collagen fibrils. The endothelial coils were enlarged and distorted. Group III showed a more or less restoration of normal histological and morphometric structures of the cornea. Group IV was comparable to control group. Diabetes caused structural alterations in the cornea. However, Aminoguanidine improved structural changes caused by diabetes

Structural changes in aged cornea of male albino rat electron microscopic study

Aging is the accumulation of adverse changes that increase the risk of death. These changes can be attributed to development, genetic defects, the environment, disease and the inborn aging process. The aim of this work is to detect the ultra structural histological changes in the aged cornea of rat since little illustrative micrographs were observed. Twenty male albino rats with average weight 100-250 gm. were used in this study. They were divided into two groups. Group 1, included ten adult rats, 6-12 months old. Group 11: included ten aged rats, 18-24 months old. The animals were sacrificed and corneal specimens were taken, processed and examined ultrastructural alterations using transmission and scanning electron microscope. Adult cornea of group I showed its five histological layers. Corneal epithelium appeared lying on the basement membrane. Bowman's membrane was seen under epithelium with its randomly crossing collagen fibrils and interfibrilar substances. Corneal stroma comprised 90% of' corneal width showing well organized lain ellae of collagen fibrils with fibrocytes [keratocytes, squeezed in between fibrils. Decsemnet's membrane, a thick homogenous acellular layer separating stroma from endotheliun. Endothelial cells appeared regularly arranged flat cells with, well apparent organelles, vesicles and basal invaginations. Aged cornea of group II showed Focal degenerative changes throughout the layers of the cornea. Surface of the cornea showed abrasions, cracks and decrease of surface microvilli. Epithelial cells showed degenerative frature5 and increase invaginations. Basement membrane appeared thickened and distorted with unapparent hemidesmosomes. Bowman layer appeared losing its proper histological pattern of collagen fibrils. Corneal stroma showed areas of disorganized collagen fibrils, degenerated fibrocytes and occasionally seen Neutrophils. Descemet's membrane showed apparent thickening. Endothelial cells appeared irregular, shrunken with degenerated cytoplasm

Effect of myrrh extract on the liver of normal and bilharzially infected mice, an ultrastructural study

In the present work, the efficacy of purified oloe-resin extract of myrrh derived from Commiphora molmol tree [commercially known as Mirazid] as a new, natural antischistosomal drug was investigated. The effect of myrrh on the ultrastructural profile of the noninfected normal mice liver was also studied. Sixty male mice were used throughout this work and they were divided into three main groups [20 animals each]: Group I [noninfected control animals], group II [infected animals] and group III [infected animals treated with myrrh extract at eight weeks post infection, 500 mg/kg body weight]. The drug was given orally on an empty stomach after overnight fasting for five successive days. All animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks from the beginning of the experiment and small pieces of the liver were excised and prepared for an ultrastructural study. The liver of the noninfected animals, which received myrrh extract [group IA] showed a more or less normal ultrastructural profile. The infected groups showed alterations of the ultrastructure of most of the hepatocytes with extensive intercellular fibrosis with abundant granulomas in the portal tract. In the infected treated group, most of the hepatocytes showed normal organelles with numerous microvilli extending into patent spices of Disse. A marked reduction of granulomas in the portal areas and an amelioration of the intercellular fibrosis were also observed. On the bases of the observed results, it was concluded that myrrh extract has a promising antischistosomal non-hepatotoxic activity

Importance of nucleophilic thiols in modulating cyclophosphamide toxicity on the heart, urinary bladder and bone marrow of adult albino rats

Cyclophosphamide [CPH] is a synthetic antineoplastic agent, N-acetyl cysteine [NAC] and mesna [sodium 2 mercaptoethane sulphonate] are two members of the nucleophilic thiols. One hundred adult albino rats were used in this study. They were calssified into 10 equal groups. Groups I, II and III were control groups [-ve and +ve controls]. Group IV: [Mesna alone]. The animals of this group received 4 doses of Mesna each of 25mg/kg I.P for 5 days as follows: the 1[st] dose was given followed by the 2[nd] dose after 1/3 of an hour, then the 3[rd] dose was given after 3 hours followed by the 4[th] dose after another 3 hours. Group [V] [NAC alone]: the animals of this group received NAC at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally for 5 days. Group [VI] [Mesna and NAC]: the animals of this group received 4 doses of mesna and one dose of NAC concomitantly with the 2[nd] dose of mesna for 5 days following the same regimen and dose for each. Group [VII] [CPH alone]: the animals of this group received cyclophosphamide in a dose of 50 mg/kg I.P for 5days. Group [VIII] [CPH and Mesna]: the animals received 4 doses of mesna. CPH was given concomitantly with the 2[nd] dose of mesna. Both were given at the same previously mentioned doses and routes for 5 days. Group [IX] [CPH and NAC]: the animals received CPH concomitantly with NAC at the same previously mentioned doses and routes for 5 days. Group [X] [CPH, mesna and NAC]: the animals of this group received 4 doses of mesna. CPH and NAC were given concomitantly with the 2[nd] dose of mesna. All were given at the same previously mentioned doses and routes for each for 5 days. Animals of all groups were sacrificed 24 hours after the last dose. Blood samples were collected for investigating complete blood count [CBC], serum lactic dehydrogenase [LDH] and creatine phosphokinase [CPK] enzymes. Heart, urinary bladder and bone marrow were examined both histologically and histochemically. Cyclophosphamide significantly reduced the total leukocytic count [TLC], platelet count, hemoglobin concentration and lymphocytic count and increased the blood levels of LDH and CPK enzymes. Histologically CPH caused focal areas of cardiac necrosis, intramyocardial hemorrhage and Dilated, congested blood vessels. Whereas, it caused urinary bladder mucosal ulceration, interstitial edema and congestion with mononuclear cellular infiltration. Bone marrow hypocellularity, undifferentiated leukocytic series were also noticed in CPH group. Concomitant administration of mesna recovered completely the CPH-induced urinary bladder toxicity. However, it didn't improve either the blood picture or the cardiac enzymes and didn't recover completely neither the hemopoietic nor the cardiac toxicity of CPH. Whereas, concomitant administration of NAC or NAC and mesna with CPH improved completely the CPH induced hemopoietic and cardiac toxicity as indicated biochemically and histologically and to lesser extent the urinary bladder toxicity. So, it is recommended to prescribe NAC and mesna together with alkylating agents particularly cyclophosphamide to modulate its toxicity

Histological and immunohistochemical study of the effect of aging and dietary restriction on rat testicular germ cells with special reference to apoptosis

This study was done to throw light on the effect of aging as well as dietary restriction on the microscopic structure of the testis. Germ cells apoptosis was also studied, as apoptosis in testicular germ cells is critical for spermatogenesis in mammals. Twenty male albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into four groups: Groups I and II consisted of 5 adult rats each, of 4-5 months of age weighing 120-150 g. Groups III and IV consisted of 5 senile rats each, of 18-24 months of age weighing 250-300 g. Groups I and III received free access to diet and water. Whereas, groups II and IV received only free access to water. Group I served as a control group. After four days, all animals were sacrificed, the testis were removed and processed for routine H and E, PAS and Feulgin reaction. The specimens were immune stained using anti Bclx protein. Statistical analysis was also done to evaluate the morphometric data. The results of the study are given