Relation between microcurrent therapy and satellite cells in the regeneration of induced skeletal muscle injury in rat

Severe injuries in skeletal muscle result in muscle weakness, which delays recovery and contributes to progressive decline in muscle function. Microcurrent therapy is a novel treatment method used in soft-tissue injury and tissue regeneration therapy. The regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle tissue resides in satellite cells, the quiescent adult stem cells. The present work aimed at investigating the possible relation between microcurrent therapy and satellite cells in regeneration of induced skeletal muscle injury in albino rats. Twenty-four male albino rats were divided into 2 groups: Control group and experimental group [II]: rats were subjected to gastrocnemius-soleus muscle injury [subgroup IIa], they were subdivided into subgroups IIa1 and IIa2 sacrificed 1 and 3 weeks after injury respectively. Subgroup IIb: Rats were subjected to muscle injury and micro-current electric stimulator, was applied for 20 minutes for three sessions per week. The animals were subdivided into subgroups IIb1 and IIb2 sacrificed 1 and 3 weeks following the day of injury. Muscle sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, alpha smooth muscle actin [alpha-SMA] and CD34 immunostaining. Morphometric studies and statistical analysis were performed. Atypical fibers were widely separated by connective tissue cells and revealed partial loss of striations in subgroup IIa. Some fibers recruited strong acidophilic sarcoplasm with focal vacuolations in subgroup IIa1. In subgroup IIb1, some typical fibers, some centrally located nuclei, and a few deeply acidophilic fibers were found. Striations were found in some areas of the sarcoplasm. In subgroup IIb2 striations were found in most areas of the sarcoplasm. A significant decrease in the mean area of atypical fibers, a significant increase in the mean area% of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells, and a significant increase in the mean area% of CD34-positive cells were found in subgroup IIb compared with subgroup IIa. A definite therapeutic effect of the microcurrent was found on induced skeletal muscle injury, which was time dependent. This effect was proved to be related to satellite cell activation

Histological and biochemical studies on the effect of vitamin E on sodium fluoride induced lung toxicity in adult albino rats

Fluoride compounds are naturally present in soil, water, and food. Furthermore, fluoride in amounts exceeding the standard therapeutic dosage accumulates in hard and soft tissues, where it disturbs the metabolic processes and produces noticeable changes in multiple organs. The study was designed to investigate the effects of sodium fluoride [NaF] on the lung of adult albino rats and the possible protective role of vitamin E on these changes. Twenty-six adult albino rats were divided into three groups: group I [control], group II receiving NaF alone [10 mg/kg body weight], and group III receiving the same NaF dose together with vitamin E supplementation [3 mg/day orally for 35 days]. Tissue homogenates were collected for biochemical study, and the lung tissues were excised for histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical studies. The results of biochemical and immunohistochemical studies were measured and statistically analyzed. Lung sections of rats treated with NaF showed congestion and injury in the endothelium of blood vessels, with hemorrhage and injury in the alveolar epithelium. Proliferation of pneumocytes type II and interstitial septal cells were seen. Thickening of interalveolar septum by cellular infiltration and red blood cells with subsequent decrease in the alveolar space was observed. Some area showed compensatory dilated alveolar ducts. A significant increase in the mean area% of cyclooxygenase-2-immunopositive cells was observed when compared with other groups. There was a significant decrease in the catalase activity and an increase in malondialdehyde concentration in group II. In vitamin E-treated group, most fields showed normal lung structure and some fields showed thickened interalveolar septa and dilated air spaces. The use of vitamin E has a beneficial effect on the protection of lung against NaF-induced injury

effect of selenium on induced ischemia / reperfusion injury in ovaries of female albino rat: a histological and biochemical study

Ovarian torsion is a serious cause of gynecological surgical emergency. Recently, a conservative approach including detorsion and releasing the pedicle to preserve fertility was advocated. However, detorsion worsens the tissue injury leading to ischemia/reperfusion [I/R] and production of reactive oxygen species. Selenium [Se] is an essential trace element and a component of the antioxidant enzymes that protect the cells against the effects of free radicals. This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of Se on I/R-induced injury of ovary in a rat model [using histological and biochemical studies]. Twenty-six adult female albino rats were divided into three groups: group I [control], group II [the I/R group] including rats exposed to right ovarian ischemia for 3 h and then reperfused for 12 h, and group III [the Se-treated group] including rats exposed to I/R as group II, in addition to 0.2 mg/kg Se injected intraperitoneally 30 min before reperfusion. Ovarian tissues were excised for histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric, and biochemical studies. Statistical analysis was performed. In the I/R group, the right ovary showed secondary follicles with desquamated cells into the antral cavity, congested vessels, multiple distorted follicles, massive extravasated red blood cells [RBCs], multiple dark nuclei, and vacuolations in the corpora lutea. The left ovary recruited congested vessels and extravasated RBCs in the corpora lutea. In the Se-treated group, the right ovary revealed some dark nuclei and vacuolations in some atretic follicles besides few extravasated RBCs. A significant increase in the mean area% of caspase-3 immunoreactivity was found in the right ovary in the I/R group compared with the other groups. A significant increase in DNA fragmentation percentage, a significant decrease in reduced glutathione concentration, a significant decrease in catalase activity, and a significant increase in malondialdehyde concentration were found in the I/R group compared with the other groups. Furthermore, administration of Se restored these values to normal levels. Se proved to be effective in preventing tissue damage induced by I/R in rat ovaries

effect of stem cell therapy versus melatonin on the changes induced by busulfan in the testes of adult rat: histological and immunohistochemicaI studies

Chemotherapy is associated with significant gonadal damage. Melatonin has been found to be a potent free radical scavenger and antioxidant. Stem cells have the capacity to generate multiple distinct cell lineages. The present study aimed to compare the effect of stem cell therapy and melatonin in the amelioration of harmful changes induced by busulfan in rat testes. Forty-three adult male rats were used in the present work. Animals were divided into the following groups: group I was the control group, the rats in group II received a single dose of intraperitoneal busulfan [20 mg/kg], the rats in group III rats received 0.5 ml stem cells upon an initial dose of busulfan, the animals in group IV received a single dose of intraperitoneal melatonin [10 mg/kg] for 5 days, and the rats in group V received melatonin for 5 days upon an initial dose of busulfan. The testes were stained with Hand E, prussian blue, and immunohistochemical stains for the detection of caspase-3-positive and proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA]-positive cells. Digital image analysis was used to determine the mean number of active caspase-3- positive and PCNA-positive cells. The results were compared statistically. Busulfan-treated animals showed atrophy and irregularity of the tubules. Marked depletion of germ cells was supported by an increase in the mean number of caspase-3-positive cells in the semineferous tubules. In addition, decreased proliferative capacity was observed in the present study and confirmed by a decrease in the mean number of PCNA-positive cells. Sections of the stem cell-treated group [group III] showed incomplete or partial regeneration of germ cells with an absence of elongated and rounded spermatids. Sections of the melatonin-treated group [group V] showed almost complete regeneration of germ cells with the appearance of rounded and elongated spermatids. It could be concluded that melatonin was more effective than stem cells in ameliorating busulfan-induced testicular damage

effect of mesenchymal stem cell therapy on ischemia-reperfusion-induced injury of the rat pancreas: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Ischemia-reperfusion [I/R] injury plays an important role in the development of acute pancreatitis; both ischemia and reperfusion contribute to tissue loss and organ dysfunction. I/R is also reported to be one of the reasons for the inflammatory reaction occurring in grafted tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into various cell lineages. This study aimed to evaluate the role of MSC therapy on l/R-induced injury of the pancreas in albino rats. The present study was performed on three groups. Group I was the control group. Group II was the I/R group in which the pancreases of rats were exposed to ischemia for 30 min after which they were reperfused for 90 min; these rats were then sacrificed 1 week [group I la] and 4 weeks [group lib] after reperfusion. Group III was the stem cell-treated group in which rats were exposed to I/R and then injected intravenously with MSCs; they were then sacrificed 1 week [group Ilia] and 4 weeks [group Illb] after reperfusion. Pancreatic sections were stained with Hand E, CD105, and insulin. Results were statistically analyzed. I/R caused changes in the form of cellular vacuolations and apoptotic changes involving the pancreatic acini. Immunohistochemical staining for insulin was markedly decreased, becoming almost absent by the fourth week. Treatment with MSCs was associated with PKH 26-labeled cells within the exocrine and endocrine portion of the pancreas. Also, CD105-positive cells were detected between the acini and within the stroma in between. The cells in the treated subgroups restored their normal appearance and regained positivity for insulin immunoreactivity