Protective effects of zinc against lead toxicity in adult mice testis and epididymis

Lead is an environmental pollutant which has received much attention, partly because of the particular sensitivity of children to this element. It is capable of impairing many elements of the systems, which results from its great affinity to tissues. Exposure of men to lead has been associated with adverse effects on male reproductive system. So antioxidant nutrients through exogenous supplementation might he associated with beneficial role. Antioxidant nutrients including vitamin E. vitamin C, vitamin B[6], beta-carotene and zinc. This study was designed to investigate the effects of lead following concomitant administration u/zinc on testis and epididymis and its beneficial role in lead-induced oxidative stress. 30 adult male nice were divided into three groups. Group I [control], group II [received lead as lead acetate, 8 mg/kg body weight,] injected to animals intraperitoneal once daily for six weeks while group III [received lead with the same dose as group II and zinc, 1mg/kg zinc sulphate] at the same mime for six weeks. Testes and epididymis were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. Moreover, Semithin sections of the epididymis and ultrathin sections of the testes were done. The epithelial height in epididymal tubules and the interstitial tissue % in the testes were measured. The testes and epididyinis of lead treated mice showed degenerative changes. The seminiferous tubules Showed disorganization and reduced, germ cells populations which appeared apoptotic with diminished spermatogenesis and deeply stained interstitial cells of Leydig. The interstitial tissue % in the testes increased in lead treated group with high significant difference when compared with control groups. The epididymis appeared damaged with decrease in epididymal epithelial height, in addition to disappearance of apical stereocilia. The testes and epididymis of zinc and lead treated mice showed improvement in the seminiferous and epididymal tubules. In conclusion, zinc played a protective role against lead toxicity in mice testis and epididymis

Effect of surgically implanted root-end filling materials on the structure of draining lymph nodes of male albino rats: histological and immunohistochemical study

The success of endodontic surgery depends on the histocompatibility of the root-end filling material. Applications of nanotechnology improve their performance. Aim of the work was to compare the effect of a mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA]and a bioceramic nanoparticulate bioaggregate [BNB] on the histological structure of draining axillary lymph nodes of adult male albino rats after their surgical implantation into the skin. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into control and experimental groups.The latter was subdivided into MTA and BNB surgically implanted subgroups. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed. Paraffin sections from both the proximal part of the dorsal skin and draining axillary lymph nodes were processed for H and E staining.Lymph node sections were further subjected to silver reticulin, Verhoeff's Van Gieson stains as well as kappa light chains. Quantitative assessments and statistical analysis of the results were carried out. There was an increase in mononuclear inflammatory cells infiltrating the skin in the MTA subgroup. Lymph nodes of the MTA subgroup showed a marked decrease in the lymphocyte content of lymphatic nodules, wide lymph sinuses, multinucleate giant cells, and many macrophages. In the BNB-treated subgroup, lymphatic nodules had wide corona and small germinal centers. Reticular and collagen fibers were increased in the MTA subgroup. Kappa light chains' immunoreactions were strong positive in MTA and mild positive in BNB subgroups. A highly significant increase in the mean area% of all fibers and kappa light chain immunoexpression of lymph nodes of the MTA subgroup were observed. MTA had less biocompatibility. BNB showed limited signs of acute inflammation. BNB is an up-to-date alternative to the currently used root-end filling materials. The chronic effects caused by BNB may require further study

effect of methanol extract of primula elatior seeds on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic adult male rabbits and its antioxidants activity

Hypercholesterolemia, high cholesterol diet and oxidative stress increase serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein [LDL]- cholesterol levels resulting in increased risk for development of atherosclerosis. The cholesterol lowering effect of dietary plants has been well studied and various plants were shown to be helpful in lowering plasma cholesterol levels and encouraging safety profile. Many plants contain antioxidant compounds arid these compounds protect cells against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species. This study was carried out to determine the effect of methanol extract of primula elatior seeds on serum lipid levels, serum lipid peroxidation and whether it can reduce or prevent atherosclerotic lesion in aorta and fatty changes in liver in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The rabbits were divided into four groups. Group I fed with standard chow diet for six weeks. Group II fed with standard diet supplemented with 1%cholesierol [atherogenic diet] for six weeks. Group III fed with atherogenic diet and Primula elatior seeds extract [40 mg/kg body weight per day] through stomach tube for six weeks. Group IV fed with the atherogenic diet for six weeks, then stop atherogenic diet and fed with cholesteroifree diet and Primula elatior seeds extract with same dose in group III for another 6 weeks. Feeding cholesterol significantly increased plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and malnodialdyhyde. It decreased total antioxidants. Treatment with methanol extract of primnula elatior seeds decreased significantly the total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and malnodialdyhyde levels. HDL-cholesterol and total antioxidants levels increased significantly. These play a key role in the protection against oxidative damages and improvement of lipid profile. The histopathological findings confirmed that methanol extract ofprimula elatior seeds had the ability to decrease the progression of fotty changes in the liver and some atherosclerotic lesions in aorta. Intima/media ratio was significantly also decreased. In conclusion, the use of primula elatior seeds could be useful in management and/or prevention of atherosclerosis and 50 reducing risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke

Beneficial effects of L-carnitine administration on blood glucose, lipids and oxidative stress markers in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

L-carnitine, a naturally occurring vitamin-like nutrient is widely distributed all over the body. It is frequently used as a dietary supplement by physically active people as it plays a great role in energy production. Currently, there is a renewed interest in carnitine, and many physicians advised it to treat a variety of conditions especially those associated with metabolic disorders as diabetes mellitus. It plays a role in both glucose and lipid metabolism as well as it may have an antioxidant effect. In diabetes mellitus, poor glycemic control, dyslipidemia and increased lipid peroxidation have been associated with poor diabetic outcome. The present work aimed to study the role of L- carnitine supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism as well as to study its antioxidant effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Also, a histological study of the pancreatic tissues of all studied animal groups have been done to determine if L-carnitine has a regenerative effect on the diabetic pancreatic B-cells. The study carried on 28 adult male albino rat, divided into 3 groups: control group [group I], alloxan-induced diabetic rats [group II] and L-carnitine treated diabetic rats [group III]. After induction of diabetes in rats [by alloxan], L-carnitine was administered by IM daily injection of 100 mg/Kg body weight for 3 weeks. Serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid peroxide and nitric oxide were evaluated in all groups at the end of the experiment. Also, histological study of the pancreatic tissues of all studied animals groups have been done. After alloxan injection, all measured parameters were significantly increased in group II [p<0.001] in comparison to control group. Three, weeks after treatment of group III with L-carnitine, rats showed significant reduction in serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride [p<0.01] in comparison to non treated animals [group II]. In addition, there was significant reduction in serum levels of lipid peroxide and nitric oxide [p<0.01], Histological study of the pancreatic tissues showed morphological changes with degenerative destruction of islets of Langerhans of the pancreases of diabetic group [group II]. These degenerative changes did not showed any regeneration or improvement in the morphological structures of islets of Langerhans after L-carnitine treatment in group III. The study concluded that L-carnitine has a potential beneficial glucose and lipids lowering effects as well as an antioxidative effect in diabetic rats. Its glucose lowering effect is due to mechanism[s] other than regeneration of pancreatic B-cells, possibly may be through its antioxidant effects as well as increase cellular uptake and oxidation of glucose. So, [his cheap, relatively safe natural agent could be considered as a supplementary therapy for correction of the metabolic disorders associated with diabetes and to improve some of the neurological complications through its antioxidant effect. Further studies are needed before the efficacy of this treatment can be universally accepted