Eeffect of melatonin on cerulein-induced pancreatitis in adult male albino rats: histological and histochemical study

Acute pancreatitis [AP] is a complex disease associated with significant complications and a high rate of mortality. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the antioxidant melatonin on cerulein-induced pancreatitis in adult male albino rats. Thirty two adult male albino rats were used and randomly divided into four groups: first group [control]; second group [melatonin treated]; third group [cerulein treated] and fourth group [melatonin and cerulein treated group]. At sacrifice, blood samples were drawn for biochemical study and pancreas specimens were prepared for histological, and histochemical study. Melatonin reduced serum amylase and lipase activities, which were highly significantly elevated in cerulein induced pancreatitis. Histologically there was wide separation between pancreatic lobules, the acinar cells showed degeneration and vacuolation and lost their zymogen granules. There was dilatation and congestion of blood vessels, interstitial hemorrhage and cellular infiltration. Ultrastructurally, there was disorganized dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum [RER], marked decrease in zymogen granules, mitochondrial damage and cytoplasmic vacuoles. Immunohistochemically, pancreatic sections of cerulein treated rats showed a strong immune reaction for transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-beta] and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]. Melatonin improved the biochemical, histological, and histochemical picture of pancreas. In conclusion, melatonin was found to be effective in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by preventing oxidative stress so prevents other pathological mechanisms of AP from being developed inside acinar cells

Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study on the effect of alendronate sodium [fosamax] on liver of adult male albino rats

Alendronate sodium [fosamax] is a potent inhibitor of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and is used for treatment of osteoporosis and Paget's disease of bone. The aim of this work was to study the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical changes of liver of adult male albino rats after alendronate sodium [fosamax] administration. Thirty six adult male rats were used in this study and randomly divided into three groups; control, fosamax treated for short period and fosamax treated for long period. At sacrifice, blood samples were drawn for biochemical study and liver sections were prepared for histological, ultrastructural, histochemical and immunohistochemical study. Fosamax treated rats showed a time dependent highly significant increase in liver function tests. Liver sections of treated rats showed dilated congested central veins and blood sinusoids with interstitial hemorrhage, perivascular cellular infiltration and many necrotic cavities. Some nuclei were shrunken and others were fading out. Ultrastructurally, there was marked mitochondrial alterations, loss of studded ribosomes from RER and increased amount of dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum, secondary lysosomes, lipid droplets and glycogen granules. Fosamax treated rats showed a decrease in succinic dehydrogenase enzyme activity with increase in acid phosphatase enzyme activity and a strong positive immunoreactivity for bcl-2 and galectin-3. These changes were time dependent and appeared more obviouse in fosamax treated rats for long period. In Conclusion, it has became clear that prolonged use of fosamax leads to subtle hepatic damage so it is recommended from physicians treating patients with alendronate or related drugs to be alert for the possibility of liver dysfunction by monitoring properly such effects by routine measurement of liver enzymes and to stop this medication on occurrence of liver dysfunction