comparative histological study of submucosal gland hypertrophy in trachea of mice exposed to cigarette and shisha smoke

Objective: To observe the effects of Shisha smoke on submucosal glands of trachea of mice; and compare it with tracheal glands of mice exposed to cigarette smoke

Study Design: Randomised controlled trial

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with National Institute of Health [NIH], Islamabad from October 2013 till April 2014

Methodology: Sample comprised of 40 adult male mice of strain BALB/c. They were randomly divided into three groups. Control group was labelled as Group 'C'. The mice in this group were kept in a whole body smoke exposure chamber and were exposed to fresh air. Shisha group was labelled as Group 'SS', and the mice in this group were exposed to Shisha smoke. Mice in the third group labelled as Group CS were exposed to cigarette smoke. All the mice were dissected after an exposure period of eight weeks. Tracheal tissue was stained and examined microscopically for submucosal gland hypertrophy and compared with the control group, using Reid's Index. An Index of more than 0.4 is termed as hypertrophy

Results: There was significant submucosal gland hypertrophy in groups CS and SS as compared to group C. There was also significant difference in the frequency of mucosal hypertrophy between SS [93.7%] and CS groups [53.3%], which was found statistically significant [p<0.001]

Conclusion: Shisha smoking was significantly associated with mucosal hypertrophy when compared with cigarette smoking and controls. Shisha smoke contains higher level of toxicants as compared to cigarette smoke, and it causes more oxidative damage of tissues

Effects of Chronological ageing on Epidermal thickness of human skin in different age groups

Objective: To compare the age related changes in thickness of skin epidermis in different age groups in the Pakistani population

Study Design: Cross sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, for a period of five months, from Jul 2010 to Nov 2010. All protocols were approved by the Ethical committee of centre for research in experimental and applied medicine [CREAM], Army Medical College, Rawalpindi

Patients and Methods: In this study, 60 volunteers of both genders, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, were divided according to age, into three equal groups, 18-29 years, 30-49 years, and more than 50 years, Groups A, B and C respectively. All study participants gave written consent before their inclusion in the study Four-mm full-thickness punch biopsy of sun protected upper arm skin of left side was obtained from each individual after administration of local anesthetic injection. The samples were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin for histomorphological study and comparison of epidermal thickness was done between the three groups. In each section, the epidermal thickness was measured at three points to determine maximum thickness, under 10X objective. Mean of three readings of each sample was taken. Then, mean of each group was taken and that of the three groups was compared to determine the presence or absence of epidermal atrophy

Results: There was no appreciable difference in epidermal thickness between the three groups. Mean of group A was 144.833 micrometer, that of group-B was 142.833 micrometer and the mean value of group C was 125.5 micrometer

Conclusion: It was concluded that, although human skin markedly deteriorates visibly with age, the epidermal thickness remains constant