Role of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of CCL4 Induced Liver Fibrosis in Albino Rats: A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Variety of pathological factors including viral hepatitis, alcohol and drug abuse, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases and congenital abnormalities can cause hepatic injury. Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage liver diseases, however, it faces several difficulties. So the aim of the work is to evaluate the effect of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) on the liver structure in carbon tetra chloride CCL4 induced liver fibrosis in rats. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: BM-MSCs were isolated and characterized from long bones of twenty male albino rats. Sixty female rats were divided into the following two groups: Group I; thirty rats which were the control group. Group II; thirty rats were injected intra-peritoneal (IP) by CCL4 twice weekly for four weeks and was further subdivided into the following three subgroups: Subgroup IIA (CCL4 alone); included ten rats which were sacrificed after this four weeks. Subgroup IIB (CCL4/MSCs); included ten rats which were IP injected by a single dose of BM-MSCs and were sacrificed after four weeks. Subgroup IIC (CCL4/recovery); included ten rats which were left for another four weeks without any intervention. Histological examination of liver specimens showed that CCl4 caused variable pathological changes with elevated liver enzymes. Injection of BM-MSCs revealed an improvement in the histological picture of the liver and its enzymatic profile. On the other hand, most of the pathological lesion were still detected in rats of recovery group. CONCLUSIONS: BM-MSC could restore the liver structure and function in experimental model of liver fibrosis.

Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of hypo and hypercaloric diet on the structure of hippocampus of male albino rat

Caloric restriction remains the major, non genetic intervention that extends the life span of the short and long -lived mammalian species. This nutritional intervention also delays the onset, or slows the progression of many age-related disease processes. The present study investigated the effect of hypocaloric diet, in comparison to the hypercaloric and the balanced diet feeding on the structure of hippocampus. The study was conveyed on young and aged male albino rats for eight weeks. Showed that the aged control rats manifested many degenerative changes in the hippocampus. These changes were in the form of degenerated pyramidal cells with pyknotic nuclei and Karyolysis of some cells. A significant decrease in the pyramidal cell number was detected with a significant compensatory increase in the number of the astrocytes. Shrinkage of some pyramidal cells and swelling of others could be observed. Hypercaloric diet feeding resulted in exaggeration of these age -related changes that started to be noticed in the young rats. On the other hand hypocaloric diet feeding attenuated the age-related hippocampal changes. This was evidenced by histological, immunohistochemical, and statistical studies. These results direct our attention to limit the caloric intake in our food, to maintain a healthy life style for safe aging

Effect of aluminum on the structure of the wall of the heart of adult male albino rat and the possible protective role of garlic: light and electron microscopic study

Aluminum [AL] is a non essential metal to which humans are frequently exposed. This study was carried out to detect the effect of [AL] on the structure of the wall of the heart and to evaluate the possible protective role of garlic. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group I was the control group. Group II consisted of rats which received oral supplementation of garlic Group III included rats which received aluminum hydroxide orally. Group IV comprised animals which received both aluminum hydroxide and garlic At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed. Specimens from the left ventricle were processed and prepared for both light and electron microscopic study. The results of this study revealed histological changes in the wall of the heart in group III which received aluminum hydroxide. Degenerative changes were noticed in the cardiac muscle fibers. Congestion of coronary vessels, hemorrhage and mononuclear cellular infiltration were also detected. By electron microscopic examination, there were disorganization and lysis of the myofilaments. Nuclei of the affected fibers appeared shrunken with irregular nuclear membranes. Degenerated mitochondria were also noticed. On the other hand, the sections of the heart of animals of group IV which were given both aluminum hydroxide and garlic, showed the same histological profile as in control sections

Effect of lead on the structure of the tongue of adult male albino rat and the possible protective role of selenium, light and scanning electron microscopic study

Lead poisoning persists as a major public health problem throughout the world, despite efforts to reduce lead hazards in the environment. This study was done to investigate the effect of lead on the structure of the tongue and to evaluate the possible protective role of selenium against this effect. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into four groups; five animals each. Group I: control group. Group II: animals received selenium orally in a dose of 00.35mg/kg body weight/day for eight weeks. Group III: animals received oral doses of lead acetate [20mg/kg body weight/day] for eight weeks. Group IV: included animals that received both lead acetate and selenium concomitantly in the same previously mentioned doses and duration. At the end of the experiment, tongue specimens were taken and prepared for light and scanning electron microscopic study. The results of the study showed that lead caused multiple histological changes on the structure of the tongue. Papillae appeared deformed in shape and reduced in size. They were irregularly arranged with altered direction. The thickness of the surface epithelium and the keratin layer was reduced. The skeletal muscle fibers were degenerated. Congestion and mononuclear cellular infiltration were also noticed. The collagen content inbetween the skeletal muscle fibers was increased. In addition, there were attenuation, beading and interrupted course of the nerve fibers. These histological changes were markedly improved when selenium was given concomitantly with lead

Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of pregnancy and lactation on the jejunal mucosa of albino rat

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of pregnancy and lactation on the structure of jejunal mucosa. Fifteen adult female albino rats were used in this study. They were classified into three groups of five animals each. Group I: included virgin rats, which act as control. Group II: comprised pregnant rats at the third week of pregnancy. Group III consisted of lactating rats at the third week of lactation. All the animals were decapitated and jejunal specimens were taken and processed for histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic study. Morphometric study was also done and the obtained results were statistically analyzed. The results of the present study revealed that villus height increased during pregnancy and was maximum at lactation. The surface area of the enterocytes along the villi was significantly increased during pregnancy while their number was significantly increased during lactation. Immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] of cells in the crypt region showed a significant decrease in number of PCNA positive cells during pregnancy and a significant increase in their number during lactation. Electron microscopic results showed a significant increase in the microvillus height in lactating rats. Hypertrophy of the mitochondria and proliferation of rER were also evident during pregnancy and lactation. It is concluded that pregnancy and lactation induced morphological changes in the jejunal mucosa. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in cell turn over and a longer residence time of enterocytes during pregnancy

Role of zinc in hepato- and nephrotoxic effects of chlorpyrifos. A biochemical, trace elemental and histological study

Chlorpyrifos [CPF] is one of the most potent broad-spectrum organophosphates used frequently against cockroaches and other structural pests. Repeated exposure to chlorpyrifos may endanger many populations with resultant toxic effects on many organs. Recent studies revealed that zinc might modulate these toxic effects. This work was carried out to ascertain the toxic effects of CPF on the rat liver and kidney. Also, the possible protective role of zinc had been evaluated. The study was conducted on 70 adult male albino rats divided into seven equal groups. Group I: negative control, group II: distilled water, group III: zinc, group IV: low dose CPF, group V: high dose CPF, group VI: zinc and low dose CPF and group VII: zinc and high dose CPF. The duration of the study was eight weeks then hepatic, renal profiles, plasma zinc, copper, MDA, SOD, GSH, GSSO were measured. Also, histological examination of liver and kidney was done. The obtained biochemical and histological results revealed hepatic and renal toxic effects induced by CPF in a dose dependent manner. Zinc supplementation resulted in a remarkable protective effect at the biochemical and histological levels. Further studies on zinc supplementation to either patients or workers exposed to CPF are recommended

Effect of chlorpyrifos on the liver and kidney of adult male albino rat and the possible protective role of zinc. A Biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical study

Chlorpyrifos [CPF] is one of the most potent broad spectrum organophosphates [OP] used frequently against cockroaches and other structural pests. Repeated exposure to chlorpyrifos may endanger general population with resultant toxic effect on many organs. This work was carried out to ascertain the toxic effect of low and high doses of CPF on the rat liver and kidney. Moreover the possible protective role of zinc was evaluated. The study was conducted on 70 adult male albino rats divided into 7 equal groups. Group I: control group. Group II: animals received distilled water. Group III: animals received zinc sulfate. Group IV: animals received low dose of CPF. Group V: animals received high dose of CPF. Group VI: animals received zinc sulfate and low dose of CPF. Group VII: animals received zinc sulfate and high dose of CPF. The duration of the study was 8 weeks then hepatic and renal profiles, plasma zinc, Cu and oxidative stress parameters [GSH and GSSG] were measured. Liver and kidney sections were prepared for histological examination. The obtained biochemical and histological results revealed hepatic and renal toxic effects induced by CPF in a dose dependant manner. Zinc administration resulted in remarkable protective effect on biochemical and histological levels

Histological study on the effect of some food colouring agents on the spleen of adult male albino rats

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three synthetic food coloring agents commonly used in Egypt [tartrazine, brilliant blue and sunset yellow] on the spleen. Sixty-four adult male albino rats were used in this study and were divided into eight groups of eight animals each. The results showed that giving ADI of any of the three coloring agents for one or two months caused no histological changes in the spleen compared with the control group. On the other hand, giving 5 ADI of any of the three coloring agents caused histological changes in the spleen in the form of atrophy of white pulp, depletion of lymphocytes and dilatation and congestion of the blood vessels and blood sinusoids of the red pulp. There was an increase in the number of macrophages. Collagen content was increased, while reticular fibers were damaged and fragmented. These effects were more obvious after two months