Effect of simvastatin on the exocrine part of the pancreas in adult albino rat and the possible protective role of coenzyme Q10: a light and electron microscopic study

The statins represent the drugs of choice for treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. Because of the common use of statins [including simvastatin], both physicians and patients have demonstrated valid concerns about the safety associated with the use of such medications. This work was performed to study the effect of simvastatin on the exocrine part of the pancreas and to evaluate the possible protective role of Coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10]. The present study was carried out on 35 adult male albino rats which were divided into; group I [control group], group II [given 1.44 mg of simvastatin once daily for 12 weeks] and group III [given simvastatin in the same dose concomitantly with 3.6 mg of CoQ10 once daily for the same period]. The specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. Sections of simvastatin-treated rats showed morphological changes in acinar cells in the form of pyknotic nuclei, cytoplasmic vacuolation, abnormal shape of acini, congestion of blood vessels and widening of interstitial tissue. By Verhoeff's Van Gieson's stain, dissolution of elastic laminae was detected in some blood vessels. Ultrastructurally, there were variation of electron density of zymogen granules, dilation of both RER and perinuclear space, large vacuoles and damaged mitochondria in some acinar cells. The above findings were less prominent in animals treated with both simvastatin and CoQ10. Simvastatin has a harmful effect on the exocrine part of the pancreas and it is advisable that patients receiving simvastatin could use CoQ10 to minimize its side effects

Hypoglycemic and other related effects of Boswellia glabra in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves and roots of Boswellia glabra was examined using alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A single oral administration of Boswellia glabra leaf and root extract decreased the blood glucose level. The continued use of leaf and root extract for 28 days produced significant hypoglycemic effects; also there was a decrease in serum glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, urea and creatinine levels and enzyme activities (alkaline phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphatase). Ultra structural studies of beta cell of alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with root extract showed numerous granulated sacs in comparison to rats treated with leaf extract. Thus, rats treated with root extract showed less degranulated sacs and more number of filled secretory granules in comparison to diabetic rats. Thus the use of aqueous extract of Boswellia glabra increased the synthesis of secretory granules in the beta-cell.

Effects of Aspartame on the Exocrine Pancreas of Rat Fetuses / Efectos del Aspartame en el Páncreas Exocrino de Fetos de Ratas

The present study evaluated the effects of the sweetener aspartame on the fetal pancreas, through a morphometric study, with the objective of studying the exocrine pancreas at the end of gestational development. For this we utilized two treated groups, one with a solution of aspartame at ambient temperature and the other with an aspartame solution heated to 40C, and two groups treated with water ad libitum, at ambient temperature and heated to 40C, respectively. On the final day of gestation the fetuses were removed and the pancreas was collected for microscopic analysis. The morphometric study demonstrated alteration in eight out of the eleven parameters studied in the group treated with the heated solution and one parameter altered in the group treated with solution at ambient temperature.

El presente estudio evalúa los efectos del endulzante aspartame en el páncreas fetal de rata, a través del estudio morfométrico, con el objetivo de conocer el páncreas exocrino al final del desarrollo gestacional. Fueron utilizados dos grupos tratados, uno con una solución de aspartame a temperatura ambiente y otro con una solución de aspartame calentada a 40C, y dos grupos tratados con agua ad libitum, a temperatura ambiente y calentada a 40 C, respectivamente. En el último día de gestación los fetos fueron removidos y el páncreas fue extraído para el análisis microscópico. El estudio morfométrico demostró alteraciones en ocho de los once parámetros estudiados en el grupo tratado con solución de aspartame calentada y un parámetro alterado en el grupo tratado con solución a temperatura ambiente.