Effect of pirenzepine [gastrozepin] on the induced duodenal ulcer by aspirin in albino rat

Adult albino rats kept on standard diet and water were divided into 2 main groups: The first group served as control group, animals were sacrificed after 6 weeks. The second group received a daily oral dose of acetyl salicylic acid [aspirin] 100 mg/kg body weight/day for 6 weeks. The duodenum from all animals were processed to paraffin sections. They were stained with H and F, periodic acid-Schiff's reaction, Alcian blue, Bodian technique and Masson's trichrome stain. Parts of the duodenum were cryostate cut, stained with Gomori's technique for acid phosphate. On aspirin administration, there was discontinuity and loss of the lining epithelium at the top of the villi. Some epithelial cells were undergoing degeneration with decrease in heights. The brush border was interrupted. PAS demonstrated apparent increase in goblet cells, while Alcian blue stained sections appeared paler blue. Acid phosphatase reaction was increased. The lamina propria appeared disorganized with no evidence of fibrosis. Mitotic figures were increased in the base of the crypts. On pirenzepine administration, the duodenum appeared normal resembling control. The villous tips appeared intact. The brush border regained its continuity, goblet cells were apparently decreased reaching control level, while Alcian blue showed increased intensity. The acid phosphatase reaction was reduced

Senile changes of the renal cortex [an E/M study]

In order to clarify the ultrastructural changes in the kidney due to senility, 14 adult male albino rats were used, where they were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of 8 senile rats aged 1 - 1.5 years, whereas the other 6 animals were aged 5 - 6 months and served as a comparative second group. The renal corpuscles of the senile rats exhibited an irregularity both in thickness and arrangement of the feet processes of their podocytes, where they appeared attenuated in some sites and fused together elsewhere. The glomerular basement membrane was thickened, mainly due to the widening of its lamina densa. These glomerular changes might be an indication to the affection of the filtration capacity of the senile kidneys. The senile renal tubular epithelial cells were characterized by their smaller, more electron dense mitochondria, irregularity and increased thickness of their basement membranes. These characters might explain the decreased reabsorptive and secretory functions of the renal tubules described by many authors. The senile proximal convoluted tubules showed an increased number of both in the pinocytotic vesicles and lysosomes which might be related to the possible increased rate of passage of the protein macromolecules through the senile leaky glomerular filtration barrier. The cortical interstitium of the senile kidneys contained hyperactive fibroblasts, which might indicate the early interstitial renal fibrosis. The basement membrane of the endothelium of the small cortical vessels was thickened and lost its elastic tissue content. This could be a sign of early atherosclerotic changes that might be the trigger for the later rise of blood pressure in old age