Effects of Momordica charantia on Serum Lipid Profile, Serum Protein Levels and Selected Markers of Cardiovascular Damage in Diabetic Rats.

Aims: To investigate the effects of M. charantia on serum lipid profile, serum protein concentration and selected markers of cardiovascular damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Study design: Forty healthy adult Wistar rats of both sexes were randomly assigned into five groups A, B, C, D and E of eight rats each. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, between January 2010 and March 2012. Methodology: At the expiration of the research, the animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Serum lipid profile, total protein and serum albumin, serum Creatine Kinase, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Glucose-6- Phosphate Dehydrogenase activities were determined using Randox assay kits. The levels of Serum globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were calculated. Serum nitric Oxide and Prostaglandin E2 levels were determined using assay kits. Results: The result showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the blood glucose levels in group D when compared with groups A, B, C and E. There was an increase in triglyceride (p<0.05), total cholesterol (p>0.05), low density lipoprotein (p>0.05) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.05) were increased in group B when compared with group D. The serum levels was presented a non significant reduction in total protein (p>0.05), albumin (p>0.05), globulin (p>0.05) and albumin/globulin ratio (p>0.05) when group B was compared with group D. Lactate dehydrogenase (F=0.18, p>0.05) and creatinine kinase (F=1.96, p>0.05) were increased (p>0.05) while the nitric oxide (F=2.21, p<0.05), PGE2 (F=1.25, p<0.05) and G6PDH (F=2.92, p<0.05) were reduced (p<0.05) in group B when compared with A, C, D and E. Conclusion: The presents study thus suggests that M. charantia could serve as a useful antidiabetic agent.

A comparative histological study of the tongue of rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) / Estudio histológico comparativo de la lengua de rata (Rattus norvegicus), murciélago (Eidolon helvum) y pangolín (Manis tricuspis)

This study assessed the micro anatomical differences in the tongue of rat, bat and pangolin with a view to establishing the functional anatomical differences of these mammalian tongues on their dietary pattern. Ten rats, ten bats and ten pangolins were used for this study. The animals were sacrificed and the tongue excised and processed for light microscopical study adopting the following stains: Haematoxylin Eosin, Verhoeff Gieson and Masson trichrome. The results showed non papillation of the keratinized stratified epithelium of pangolin tongue unlike the papillation seen in the tongue of the rat and bat. While the filiform papillation seen in the rat was bristle like, the filiform papillae in the bat were crown-like. There was also an unusual dense collagenous ring in the proximal portion of the pangolin tongue which was absent in other mammals. There were taste buds along the lateral walls of the vallate papillae in the distal portion of the tongue of rats and bats but none was found in the pangolins. In conclusion, the morphology of the tongues of these mammals showed a relationship between their feeding pattern and the adaptive changes in the microanatomy of their tongue.

Se evaluó los aspectos micro-anatómicos de la lengua de la rata, murciélago y pangolín, con miras a establecer las diferencias funcionales anatómicas de las lenguas de estos mamíferos en su patrón alimentario. Diez ejemplares de cada animal se utilizaron para este estudio. Los animales fueron sacrificados y las lenguas fueron extirpadas y procesadas para el estudio microscópico de luz, usándose las tinciones: Hematoxilina Eosina, Verhoeff Gieson y tricrómico de Masson. Los resultados mostraron la no papilación del epitelio estratificado queratinizado de la lengua de pangolines a diferencia de la papilación vista en la lengua de la rata y del murciélago. Por otro lado, las papilas filiformes vistas en la rata se presentaban como puntas, siendo como coronas en el murciélago. También hubo un inusual anillo de colágeno denso en la porción proximal de la lengua de pangolines, estando ausente en los otros mamíferos. Se observaron botones gustativos a lo largo de las paredes laterales de las papilas caliciformes en la porción distal de la lengua de las ratas y los murciélagos, pero ninguno fue encontrado en la de los pangolines. En conclusión, la morfología de las lenguas de estos mamíferos mostró una relación entre su patrón de alimentación y los cambios de adaptación en la anatomía microscópica de la lengua.

Dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis in a Nigerian cadaver: a case report of rare anomaly / Dextrocardia y situs inversus totalis en un cadáver nigeriano: reporte de caso de una rara anomalía

This report describes an adult male cadaver with dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis in a Nigerian cadaver. The photographic illustrations revealed transposition of some of the visceral organs such that the stomach and spleen were located on the right and the liver and gall bladder on the left. Also, the left lung was tri-lobed while the right was uni-lobed. The heart was flattened and flipped to the right thus, transposing the great vessels. The report showed that dextrocardia and situs inversus exists amongst Nigerians and possibly Africans and therefore wish to recommend early medical examination since patients with this condition are unaware of their unusual anatomy until they seek medical attention for an unrelated condition. Early detection may lead to a successful surgical management and consequently offer a safer chance of survival.

Este reporte describe a un cadáver adulto nigeriano de sexo masculino con dextrocardia y situs inversus totalis. Las ilustraciones fotográficas revelaron transposición de algunas de las vísceras, como el estómago y el bazo que se encuentra en el derecho y el hígado y la vesícula biliar a la izquierda. Además, el pulmón izquierdo era tri-lobulado, mientras que el derecho uni-lobulado. El corazón fue aplanado y situado a la derecha, por consiguiente, transposicionando los grandes vasos. El reporte demostró que la dextrocardia y el situs inversus existen entre los nigerianos y, posiblemente, los africanos, por tanto, se recomienda un temprano examen médico, ya que pacientes con esta condición no son conscientes de su inusual anatomía hasta que acuden al médico por atención por una condición no relacionada. La detección temprana puede conducir a un éxito quirúrgico y, en consecuencia, ofrecer una segura oportunidad de sobrevivir.

Mixture of kerosene and xylene: a contribution to clearing agents / Mezcla de kerosene y xileno: una contribución a agentes de aclaramiento

The aim of this study was to substitute costly and hazardous compound- xylene, used as clearing agent, with less costly compounds (mixture of xylene and kerosene) having less toxicity and without compromising the cellular integrity and staining characteristics of the sections. Tissues (liver and kidney) obtained from a presumable healthy adult Wistar rat, were fixed in 10 percent formol saline, separated in to five groups (A, B, C, D and E) and processed for light microscopic study adopting H & E staining procedure. During the clearing section, groups A, B, C, D and E were respectively cleared in solvent 1 (xylene only), solvent 2 (70ml xylene : 30ml kerosene), solvent 3 (50ml xylene : 50ml kerosene), solvent 4 (30ml xylene : 70ml kerosene) and solvent 5 (kerosene only). Our result revealed that tissues in groups A, B and C were properly cleared without any morphological impairment. The staining characteristics were also observed to be very bright. Groups D and E however presented poor staining intensity with reduced cellular details. Semi-stained transparent patches were also noticed. It is inferred from the present investigation that a mixture of xylene and kerosene could be employed in the clearing of tissues only at the prescribed ratio i.e. solvent 2 and solvent 3 without posing any health risk or compromising the cellular integrity.

El objetivo de este estudio fue el de sustituir el costoso y peligroso compuesto xileno, utilizado como agente de aclaramiento, por un compuesto menos costoso (mezcla de kerosene y xileno), con menor toxicidad y sin comprometer la integridad celular ni las características de tinción de las secciones. Los tejidos (hígado y riñon) fueron obtenidos a partir de una rata Wistar adulta presumiblemente sana, los que fueron fijados en solución de formalina salina al 10 por ciento, y separadas en cinco grupos (A, B, C, D y E) y tratadas para estudio con microscópico de luz, con tinción H & E. Durante el aclaramiento de las secciones histológicas, los grupos A, B, C, D y E, fueron, respectivamente, aclarados con el disolvente 1 (sólo xileno), solvente 2 (70ml de xileno: 30ml Kerosene), solvente 3 (50ml de xileno: 50ml Kerosene), solvente 4 (30ml xileno: 70ml kerosene) y solvente 5 (sólo el kerosene). Los resultados revelaron que los tejidos de los grupos A, B y C fueron aclarados correctamente sin alteraciones morfológicas. En la tinción también se observó como característica, ser muy brillante. Los grupos D y E, sin embargo presentaron una tinción de pobre intensidad con la reducción de los detalles celulares. Zonas con manchas semitransparentes también fueron observadas. Se infiere que una mezcla de xileno y kerosene podría ser empleado en el aclaramiento de los tejidos, sólo prescrito en la proporción del solvente 2 y 3, sin suponer ningún riesgo para la salud o comprometer la integridad celular.

Microstructural observations on nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex of adult wistar rats following quinine administration

Purpose: This study assessed some microstructural effects of quinine; commonly used in malaria chemotherapy; especially in chloroquine-resistant and cerebral malaria; on the Nissl substance in the cerebellar cortex of adult Wistar rats using microanatomical studies. Methods: Twenty seven adult male Wistar rats; weighing between 150g and 190g; were randomly separated into groups A; B and C (n=9). The rats in group A served as the control and received intramuscular injection of physiological saline. Group B rats were injected intramuscularly with liquid quinine; 16mg/kg body weight as a start dose; followed by 8mg/kg body weight 8 hourly for seven days. Group C rats received the same treatment as group B but were subjected to a withdrawal period of one week. Groups A and B rats were sacrificed at the end of the treatment while group C rats were sacrificed at the end of one week. The cerebellum of each rat was removed and fixed in 10formol saline for histological analysis. Results: The findings showed that the Nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex in control rats stained more intensely and distinctly compared with the less intense stain and degenerated Nissl substances in the treated rats.Conclusion: The observed degenerative changes in the Nissl substances in the cerebellar cortex of the treated rats may affect the synthesis of proteins in correlation with neuronal functions