Chenopodium ambrosioides L. extract prevents bone loss

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of the Chenopodium ambrosioides L (mastruz) extract for preventing bone loss and bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Twelve rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy for inducing osteoporosis. After surgery, they were divided into two groups: Ovariectomy-control group (G1, n=6), receiving 0.5 ml distilled water by gavage for 30 days, and Ovariectomy plus mastruz group (G2, n=6), receiving 0.5 ml of the hydroalcoholic extract of mastruz at 10% concentration (50mg) daily, for the same period. Then, the blood of the animals was collected for further biochemical analysis (liver function) and tibia and liver were removed for histological and histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS: The cortical bone was significantly larger in the G2 than G1, whereas G1 presented the highest amount of adipocytes in the bone marrow (p<0.05). The blood levels of aspartate aminotransferase, triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly higher, whereas globulin and lactate dehydrogenase were smaller in G2 than G1. CONCLUSION: The hydroalcoholic extract of mastruz has effects on bone metabolism by changing blood proteins and enzymes and preventing both bone loss and the substitution of bone marrow cells by.

Histological study of megakaryocytogenesis and thrombocytogenesis in the guinea pig bone marrow with reference to the role of adipocytes

Blood platelets play a pivotal role in hemostasis and participate directly in thrombosis and atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the steps of platelet production, the morphological changes that occur during proplatelet production, the cytoskeletal mechanics that drive these transformations, and the possible role of stromal cells in platelet formation. Red bone marrow fragments were harvested from ten adult male guinea pigs. Toluidine blue-stained semithin sections were prepared for light microscopic examination, and ultrathin sections were examined by transmission electron microscope. In the semithin sections of the bone marrow, nearly half of the area contained hematopoietic cells, whereas the remainder was occupied by adipocytes that showed unusual bridging connections between them. In addition, the megakaryocytic lineage cells assumed a unique close association with the neighboring adipocytes. Under transmission electron microscope, the surface of the immature megakaryocytes was characteristically smooth, whereas mature megakaryocytes developed characteristic proplatelets in the form of coarse surface cytoplasmic processes that bulged to the outside and detached as preplatelets. Granules and membranes associated with microtubules were translocated from the base of proplatelets to appear in their cytoplasm, and the invaginated membrane system became extensive in the mature megakaryocytes. Sometimes, these cells extended large proplatelets through the attenuated sinusoidal walls, where they discharged preplatelets that further fragmented into platelets. The formation of proplatelets and the elaboration of granules into the newly formed preplatelets and platelets were largely dependent on the efficiency of microtubular cytoskeletal elements. Marrow stromal cells, especially adipocytes, might be involved in megakaryocytic lineage development

Heterogeneous response of adipose tissue to cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia causes disruption of lipid metabolism. Since it has been well established that the various adipose tissue depots demonstrate different responses to stimuli, we assessed the effect of cachexia on some biochemical and morphological parameters of adipocytes obtained from the mesenteric (MES), retroperitoneal (RPAT), and epididymal (EAT) adipose tissues of rats bearing Walker 256 carcinosarcoma, compared with controls. Relative weight and total fat content of tissues did not differ between tumor-bearing rats and controls, but fatty acid composition was modified by cachexia. Adipocyte dimensions were increased in MES and RPAT from tumor-bearing rats, but not in EAT, in relation to control. Ultrastructural alterations were observed in the adipocytes of tumor-bearing rat RPAT (membrane projections) and EAT (nuclear bodies)

Interrelationship between adipocytes and fibroblasts during acute damage to the subcutaneous adipose tissue of rats: an ultrastructural study

Ultrastructural phenotypic transitional features were noted between adult adipocytes and fibroblasts in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of the dorsal pad of normal adult Wistar rats of both sexes, weighing 180-260 g, after acute injury either by the implantation of small (1.8 x 1 x 0.4 cm) perforated plastic boxes or by local heat application. Soon after the inflicted damage, fat-containing cells presented variable shapes. Early after damage, some of these cells were round, adipocyte like, with numerous and large cytoplasmic fat droplets. A few days later, fat-containing cells became elongated, with the fat droplets in their cytoplasm becoming smaller and less numerous. The cells also showed a prominent active rough endoplasmic reticulum and newly formed collagenous matrix accumulated in the interstices. Although current views consider adult adipocytes to be terminal cells, the present findings, in their time sequence, strongly suggest the transformation of adipocytes into fibroblasts after acute injury to adipose tissue.