The ameriorating effects of grapefruit seed extract on testicular morphology and function of varicocelized rats

Varicoceles are abnormal tortuosity and dilatation of the veins of the pampiniform plexus that drain the testis. The pathophysiology of testicular damage in varicocele has not been completely understood. However there is an increasing body of evidence pointing towards the role of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of varicocele related subfertility. In the present study we examined the role of proanthocynidin-rich ethanol extract of grapefruit seed as an antioxidant in protecting the testis against damage in experimental varicocele. Three groups of rats were constructed as the first group had intact rats; experimental bilateral varicoceles were established by complete ligation of the left and right main spermatic veins in the later two groups. The third group had in addition daily gavage administration of 1 Omg/ kg body weight ethanol extract of grapefruit seed. Eight weeks after varicocele induction, bilateral testicular weights, bilateral testicular volumes, bilateral caudal epididymal sperm characteristics, and bilateral testicular histology and serum hormone levels were tested. It was found that the testes of grapefruit seed extract treated animals had better functional and histological profiles compared to the untreated varicocelized animals. These results indicated the effectiveness of grapefruit seed extract for preservation of testes function morphology in varicocelized subjects.

Los varicoceles son tortuosidades anormales y dilataciones de las venas del plexo pampiniforme que drenan el testículo. La fisiopatología del daño testicular en el varicocele no se ha entendido completamente. Sin embargo, existe un creciente cúmulo de evidencias que apunta hacia el papel de especies reactivas al oxígeno y al estrés oxidativo, en la patogénesis del varicocele relacionados con subfertilidad. En el presente estudio, se examinó el papel de proantocianidina en el extracto etanólico de semilla del pomelo, como un antioxidante en la protección contra el daño testicular experimental en el varicocele. Tres grupos de ratas fueron seleccionados, un grupo de ratas control y dos grupos experimentales. En estos dos últimos grupos, se provocó varicocele bilateral a través de la ligadura completa de las venas testiculares principales izquierda y derecha. El tercer grupo tuvo además una sonda de administración diaria de 10 mg /kg de peso corporal, de extracto etanólico de semilla de pomelo. Ocho semanas después de la inducción de varicocele, se determinó el peso testicular bilateral, volúmenes testiculares bilaterales, características de los espermatozoides de la cola del epidídimo bilateral, la histología testicular bilateral y los niveles séricos de hormona. Se determinó que los testículos de los animales tratados con extracto de semilla de pomelo presentaban una mayor funcionalidad y mejores perfiles histológicos, en comparación con los animales varicocelizados no tratados. Estos resultados indican la eficacia de extracto de semilla de pomelo para la conservación de la morfología funcional testicular, en sujetos varicocelizados.

A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), Bat (Eidolon helvum) and Pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method / Estudio comparativo del íleon en rata (Rattus norvegicus), murciélago (Eidolon helvum) y pangolín (Manis tricuspis) utilizando como investigación el método histológico

The histological and morphometric differences in some parts of the gastrointestinal tracts of rat, bat and pangolin have been well established. This investigation aims at comparatively elucidating any adaptational changes the ileum of the three mammals must have adopted to meet its dietary requirements and also cope with their morphological differences. The investigation was carried out using ten rats, ten bats and ten pangolins of both sexes. The animals were slightly anaesthetized under chloroform inhalation. The intestines were harvested and the ileum excised and fixed in 10 percent formol saline. The tissues were processed for light microscopic study. The following stains were employed: Haematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Van Gieson and Verhoeff's haematoxylin elastic tissue stain. Stained slides were also analysed morphometrically. The results revealed microstructural modifications which characterized the mucosa as well as the pattern of distribution of the conjuntive tissue fibers in the ileum of the three mammals. These modifications are means of successfully coping with their respective diets and morphological differences.

Las diferencias histológicas y morfométricas en algunas partes del tubo digestivo de ratas, murciélagos y pangolines han sido bien establecidos. Esta investigación tiene por objeto aclarar comparativamente cualquier cambio de adaptación del íleon de los tres mamíferos que hayan adoptado para satisfacer sus necesidades dietéticas y también hacer frente a sus diferencias morfológicas. La investigación se llevó a cabo usando 10 ratas, 10 murciélagos y 10 pangolines, de ambos sexos. Los animales fueron ligeramente anestesiados bajo inhalación de cloroformo. Los intestinos fueron expuestos, el íleon extirpado y fijado en formol salino al 10 por ciento. Los tejidos fueron procesados para su estudio por microscopía de luz. Los siguientes tinciones fueron empleadas: Hematoxilina y eosina (H & E), Van Gieson y tinción de hematoxilina para tejidos elásticos de Verhoeff. Los cortes teñidos también se analizaron morfométricamente. Los resultados revelaron modificaciones microestructurales características de la mucosa, así como el patrón de distribución de las fibras de tejido conjuntivo en el íleon de los tres mamíferos. Estas modificaciones son el medio para entender sus diferencias en la dieta y morfología respectivamente.

Cyfluthrin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

This study was designed to evaluate the nephrotoxic effect of cyfluthrin in rats. Cyfluthrin at 0ppm (control), 100ppm and 200ppm (test-groups) was administered orally for 15 weeks. The micronutrient level (iron, zinc, copper, and selenium), the nutritional status (total carbohydrate, total glucose, total protein, total amino acids, total lipid, and total cholesterol), the lipid peroxidation level (reduced glutathione and thiobarbiturate) and the antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) were estimated. The results were statistically compared (p<0.05) with the control. A significant decrease in the organ-to-body ratio was observed in the test groups. The concentration of the micronutrient in the test groups increased significantly. The total carbohydrate, total glucose, total amino acids, total lipids and total cholesterol showed a significant decrease in the test groups, but a significant increase was observed in the tissue protein level of the test groups. Lipid peroxidation was increased in the test groups as indicated by a significant increase in the thiobarbiturate level and a significant decrease in the reduced glutathione level. All the antioxidant enzymes studied increased significantly in the test groups when compared with the control. Cyfluthrin is nephrotoxic under continuous administration in rats.