Curcumin Prevents Bile Canalicular Alterations in the Liver of Hamsters Infected with Opisthorchis viverrini

Opisthorchis viverrini infection causes inflammation and liver injury leading to periductal fibrosis. Little is known about the pathological alterations in bile canaliculi in opisthorchiasis. This study aimed to investigate bile canalicular alterations in O. viverrini-infected hamsters and to examine the chemopreventive effects of curcumin on such changes. Hamsters were infected with O. viverrini and one group of animals was fed with 1% dietary curcumin supplement. Animals were examined during the acute infection phase, days 21 and 30 post-infection (PI) and chronic infection phase (day 90 PI). Scanning electron microscopy revealed that in the infected group fed with a normal diet, bile canaliculi became slightly tortuous by 30 day PI and more tortuous at day 90 PI. Transmission electron microscopy showed a reduction in microvilli density of canaliculi starting at day 30 PI, with a marked loss of microvilli at day 90 PI. These ultrastructral changes were slightly seen at day 21 PI, which was similar to that found in infected animals fed with 1% curcumin-supplemented diet. Notably, curcumin treatment prevented the reduction of microvilli density, reduced the dilation of bile canaliculi, and decreased the tortuosity of the bile canaliculi relative to non-infected animals on a normal diet at days 30 and 90 PI. These results suggest that curcumin reduces alteration of bile canaliculi and may be a promising agent to prevent the onset of bile duct abnormalities induced by O. viverrini infection.

Length, Diameter and Variations in Types of Portal vein formations in Northeastern Thais

Background:  The portal vein is an intra-abdominal large vein.  It drains the venous blood from the abdominal and pelvic parts of the digestive tract and its associated glands including the spleen, pancreas and gallbladder.   Variations of its formation were previously reported in literatures. The anatomic dimensions of the portal vein and its variations of formation have not been established for Thais. Objectives of the present study is  determine the length, diameter and variations in  types of portal vein formations in Northeastern ThaisStudy design: A descriptive study based on anatomical dissection and morphometry.Setting: Gross Anatomy Laboratory Dissecting room at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand. Subjects:  Sixty five donated, embalmed Northeastern Thai cadavers (40 males; 25 females) ranging between 38 and 87 years of age at decease were used.  Methods: All cadavers were dissected in order to approach the portal veins, superior mesenteric, splenic and inferior mesenteric veins.  The length and diameter of each portal vein were measured by vernier caliper and recorded.  Variations of the portal vein formation in relation to the termination or point of entry of the inferior mesenteric veins were determined and recorded.Results: The average length and diameter of the portal veins was 6.61 + 0.93 cm and 1.18 + 0.23 cm respectively.  Of 65 cases, Type I of the portal vein, which was formed by the union of the superior mesenteric vein and splenic vein was found in 55 cases of 65 cases (84.61%).  The confluence of the superior mesenteric, splenic and inferior mesenteric veins to form the portal vein type II, occurred only in 10 cases  (15.39%).  Conclusions:  Our results demonstrated the average lengths (6.61 + 0.93 cm) and diameters (1.18 + 0.23 cm) of the portal vein and the possible anatomic differences of its formation among Northeastern Thais.  It was interesting to find that the superior mesenteric, splenic and inferior mesenteric veins join to form the portal vein occurred in 10 cases. 

Ultrastructure of tegumentary papillae of the excysted Opisthorchis viverrini metacercaria

Background: Opisthorchiasis, caused by liver fluke  Opisthorchis viverrini  is  endemic  in many countries of the Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Laos PDR, Cambodia and South Vietnam. It is a medically important fluke which causes several hepatobiliary diseases and cholangiocarcinoma.  The tegument of O. viverrini is served as the site for sensory input.  When the metacercaria infects to human, it excysts and migrates into bile ducts by creeping to pass the hepatopancreatic ampulla. The metacercaria might be equipped with some sensory perceptions. The tegumentary papillae may have a role for sensation. No detail of the ultrastructural of the tegumentary papillae of the O. viverrini has been studied.Objective:  To study the ultrastructure of the tegumentary papillae of newly excysted O. viverrini metacercariae by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).Study design: Descriptive study based on morphological observation at the ultrastructureral level.Setting: Department of Anatomy and Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen  University, Thailand.Materials and Methods:  O.  viverrini metacercariae obtained from naturally infected cyprinoid fish in endemic area in Khon Kaen were excysted by suspending in 0.1% trypsin solution. The newly excysted metacercariae were processed and observed with a scanning and                  a transmission electron microscopes. Results: SEM studies of tegumentary papillae identified four types of papillae. Type I was a small conical papilla with long cilium (Fig. 1). Type II possessed short cilium and a larger conical papilla than type I (Fig. 2). Type III was characterized by grouping of 2-3 conical papillae on a dome-shaped base with variable length of the cilia (Fig. 3).  Type IV was non-ciliated conical papilla and found solely on inner lip of the oral and ventral suckers (Fig. 4). TEM observation revealed two types of tegumantary papillae, ciliated (type A) and non-ciliated (type B) papillae. Only one cilium was found in all ciliated tegumantary papillae. Based on morphology of tegumentary papillae and ultrastructures of the bulbous ending, the ciliated papillae were further divided into three subtypes (A1, A2 and A3).   In type B, there was an elevation of the tegument and the bulbous ending was lack communication with the external surface.Conclusions:  As seen by SEM, there were four types of tegumentary papillae of the excysted  O.  viverrini  metacercaria. By TEM observation, only two types of tegumentary papillae, uniciliated and non-ciliated were found. Based on internal structures of the bulbous ending, the uniciliated tegumentary  papillae  were further divided into  three subtypes . The evidence of a nerve process leading to the bulbous ending in the TEM study supported that these tegumentary papillae may consider to serve as  a structure for sensory perception. Only the type II papilla in SEM study and uniciliated papilla type A1 in TEM were both located in the outer lip of the oral sucker. Therefore, they might be the same type of papillae.Key words:  Opisthorchis viverrini, metaceraria, papillae, SEM, TEM 

The Common Carotid Artery : Site of Bifurcation at the Vertebral Level

Background : The  common  carotid  artery (CCA)  bifurcates  into  and  internal  carotid  arteries.  Though  variations  have  been  observed,  the  most  common  site  for  bifurcation  relative  to  the  vertebral  level  is  at  the  4th  cervical  vertebra.  Common  carotid  artery  division  sites  have  not  been  studied  in  Thailand,  so  our  aim  was  to  inventory  the  site  of  bifurcation  in  Thai  cadavers.Objective : To  determine  the  site  of  bifurcation  of  the  common  carotid  artery  relative  to  the  vertebral  level.Study  design: A  descriptive  study.Setting  :  The  study  was  carried  out  at  the  Department  of  Anatomy,  Faculty  of  Medicine,  Khon  Kaen  university,  Thailand.Subjects :  The study  included  one  hundred  and  ten  specimens from fifty five Thai  cadaver,  sthirty  eight  males and  seventeen  females  ranging  in  age  from  26 to 80 years.  Methods : 1). The  location  of  each  common  carotid  artery  division  was  noted  with  respect  to  the  vertebral  level.     2). The distance  between  site  of  bifurcation  and  origin  of  the  common  carotid  artery  was  measured  by  using  vernier  calipers.Results: We  included  110  bifurcations of  both  sides  in  this  study.  The  site  of  bifurcation  of  the common  carotid  artery  occurred  only  at  the  cervical  vertebrae  with  seven  variations : C1 8.1%, C1-2 1.8%, C2 40%, C2-3 3.6% C3 41.8%, C3-4 0.9% and C4 3.6% The  bifurcation  site  for  the  left  common  carotid  artery (CCA)  was  most  often  (43.6%) at  the  C2 level whereas  the  right  CCA was  at the  C3 level (41.8%). The  average  distance  between  site  of  bifurcation and  origin  of  the  left  CCA  is  12.27 cm (SD = 1.52) and 9.64 cm (SD = 1.48) for  the  right.Conclusion:  The  site  of  bifurcation  of  the  CCA  in  This  is  commonly  at  the  level  of  the  3rd  cervical  vertebra  as  mentioned  in  various  textbooks,  which  was  observed  only  3.6 %  of  Thai  subjects.  We  did  not  find any  site  of  division  below  the  C4.  Such  observations  have  clinical  implications  for  any  manipulation  of  the  CCA.Key  Words:  Common  Carotid  Artery,  CCA,  Bifurcation, Vertebral  Level.

Sacralization of the 5th lumbar vertebra in Thais

Background: The sacrum generally is composed of five vertebrae fused to form a triangular bony mass.  Numerous anatomical variations of the sacrum have been reported including many reports of sacralization of the fifth lumbar in different race. There has never been reported among Thais.Objective:   To determine the incidence of sacralization of the fifth lumbar vertebra among ThaisDesign:  Descriptive study based on numerical survey.Setting:  Bone Collection Unit, Department of Anatomy, faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, ThailandSubjects:  Included were 206 sacra from Thai skeletons, 114 males and 92 females between 26 and 90 years of age at death. Methods:  An anatomical study was done on the sacrum.  The sacra consisting of six vertebrae, by incorporation of the fifth lumbar, were selected. To confirm the lack of a fifth lumbar  vertebra, we re-counted the lumbar vertebrae belonging to the same skeleton of the selected sacrum.  The specimens were then carefully examined and recorded.Results:  We found 9 (4.4%) specimens with the 5th lumbar vertebra fused to the first segment of the sacrum, representing sacralization;  the incidence of which was 7 (6.1%) in males and 2 (2.1 %)  in females. The degree of sacralization varied: complete in four out of seven of the males and incomplete in the remaining three out of seven males and in the two females. Conclusions:  The present study shows that the incidence of sacralization of the 5th lumbar vertebra among Thai is about 4.4 %.  The knowledge of this anatomical variation could be useful for the preliminary consideration in  patient with low back problems.Key words: Anatomic variation, Sacral foramina, Sacrum 

Morphological Features of the Testes of the Adult Liver Fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini

Background: Infection of Opisthorchis viverrini is widely endemic mainly in Northeast of Thailand including Laos, Cambodia and South Vietnam. Its prevalence and pathogenic effects are associated with several hepatobiliary diseases in human. The liver fluke is monoecious, seft-fertilization can be occurred individually. The male reproductive organ usually consists of two deeply lobed testes, located in the posterior region of the body next to the ovary. No description is available on the ultrastructure and development of the testes of the Opisthorchis viverrini.Objectives: This study aims to examine the morphology and ultrastructure of the testes of the adult flukes O. viverrini.Study design: Descriptive study based on morphological observation by using light microscope (LM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM).Setting: Department of Anatomy and Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.Materials and Methods: The encyst metacercaria of Opisthorchis viverrini were identified and collected. Ten adult Golden Syrian hamsters were used. Each animal was infected with 50 encyst metacercaria by gastric intubation. The animals were then sacrificed by deep ether anaesthesia, at 28 days post infection. The recovered flukes were routinely processed for investigation of the testes by LM, TEM and SEM.Results: In the whole mount specimens, the pair testes of the adult O. viverrini were clearly defined at the posterior 1/3 of the worm body posterior to the ovary. They were multilobate, 4-5 lobes each and located one behind the other. The testes showed numerous germ cells at various stages of development. The spermatogonia were closest to the testicular wall. In the deeper regions, cluster of numerous spermatocytes and spermatids were observed. The early spermatid exhibited an elongated nucleus with exhibiting lamellar chromatin alongside the two sets of striated rootlets. The scanning electron microscopic studied revealed that the spermatozoa were long filiformshaped.Conclusions: This is the first report of the morphology of the testes of the adult flukes, Opisthorchis viverrini studied by using light and electron microscopes. The testes contained different stages of developing spermatogenic cells. Their three dimentional morphology were thread-like with no easily discernible heads and tails.Keywords: Opisthorchis viverrini, spermatogenic cells, testes, ultrastructure

Anomalous Origin of the Right Subclavian Artery Associated with Right-sided Thoracic Duct: A Case Report

Background: Variations of the branches of the arch of aorta are mostly resulted from abnormal development of the branchial arches.Objective: To present the abnormal origin of the right subclavian artery associated with abnormal thoracic duct and the right recurrent laryngeal nerve Methods: Dissection of the mediastinum was carefully done to investigate the great vessels of the arch of aorta. The outer diameter and length of the anomalous rightsubclavian artery were measured. The other abnormally related structures were identified.Results: The anomalous right subclavian artery was incidentally found in a female cadaver of 80 year-old. It arose as the fourth branch of the distal part of the arch of aorta and traveled across the midline at T3 retroesophageally to reach the right upper extremity. This anomalous artery was the biggest branch of the great vessels of the arch of aorta. It was associated with the abnormal right-sided thoracic duct and the absence of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve.Conclusions: A case of 80 year-old female cadaver showed the abnormal origin of the right subclavian artery arising as the fourth branch of the distal part of the arch of aorta. It was associated with the abnormal right-sided thoracic duct and the absence of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve.Keywords: Anomalous subclavian artery, arch of aortic, abnormal development, anatomical variation