Prostaglandin F receptor expression in intrauterine tissues of pregnant rats

In this investigation, we studied the expression and localization of rat prostaglandin F (FP) receptor in uterine tissues of rats on gestational Days 10, 15, 18, 20, 21, 21.5 and postpartal Days 1 and 3 using Western blotting analysis, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. A high level of immunoreactivity was observed on gestational Days 20, 21, and 21.5 with the most significant signals found on Day 20. FP receptor protein was expressed starting on gestational Day 15, and a fluctuating unsteady increase was observed until delivery. Uterine FP receptor mRNA levels were low between Days 10 and 18 of gestation (p < 0.05). The transcript level increased significantly on Day 20 and peaked on Day 21.5 just before labor (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between FP receptor mRNA expression and serum estradiol levels (rs = 0.78; p < 0.01) along with serum estradiol/progesterone ratios (rs = 0.79; p < 0.01). In summary, we observed an increase FP receptor expression in rat uterus with advancing gestation, a marked elevation of expression at term, and a concominant decrease during the postpartum period. These findings indicate a role for uterine FP receptors in the mediation of uterine contractility at term.

Effects of green tea and vitamin E in the testicular tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

To investigate the possible therapeutic or protective effects of green tea in diabetic rat's testicular tissue, either as a single agent, or together with vitamin E. The present study was carried out at the Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey from May to August 2011 for 10 weeks. Forty-eight adult male Wistar albino rats, weighting 250-300 g, were divided into 8 groups: control; nondiabetic vitamin E [0.4 mg/kg/NG]; nondiabetic green tea [300 mg/kg/NG]; nondiabetic vitamin E plus green tea administered groups; diabetic group [60 mg/kg/IV streptozotocin]; diabetic vitamin E; diabetic green tea; and diabetic vitamin E plus green tea administered groups. Proliferative and apoptotic indexes were determined using anti-PCNA antibody immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assays respectively. Tubule degeneration was evaluated using the Johnson's score and also seminiferous tubules diameters, epithelial thickness were measured. Histopathological examination in diabetic group revealed degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules together with a statistically significant decrease in PCNA positive cells, in epithelial thickness, diameter of the tubules and in Johnson's score, while exhibited an increase in the number of apoptotic cells. When all these findings are considered together, the most successful protective effects in diabetes were obtained in the combined antioxidant group. Combined therapy of vitamin E and green tea in diabetes was more effective than monotherapy. Therefore, these antioxidants may be use as a supporting therapy for reproductive dysfunction

Dose-dependent ultrastructural changes in rat cornea after oral methylphenidate administration

To investigate dose-dependent ultrastructural changes in rat cornea after oral methylphenidate [Ritalin] administration. This study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey between March and May 2005, with a total of 27 female prepubertal Wistar albino rats, divided into 3 different dose groups [5mg/kg, 10 mg/ kg, 20 mg/kg], and their control groups. They were treated orally with methylphenidate, and eye tissue was removed to process for electron microscopic studies. We observed that all cells, and prominently basal cells of the corneal epithelium show dose-dependent degenerative changes such as apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and ondulation in their nuclei and crystolysis of the mitochondrion. In the stroma, the most evident finding was the increase of the collagen fiber. In addition to dose-dependent changes related to the apoptotic process, which is chromatin condensation in their nuclei, electron dense material accumulation, and pericellular edema in the cytoplasm were also seen. In the endothelial cell lines, disruption of the junctional complexes, vacuolization in the cell cytoplasms, and crystolysis of the mitochondrion's with rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae activity were observed. Ritalin is inducing an evident degeneration, especially in epithelium cells with increasing doses. Ultrastructural cell organelle composition degeneration with stromal fibrosis has a negative effect on cornea dehydration. In light of these findings, we believe that the Ritalin treatment doses need to be kept to a minimum to maintain healthy cornea ultrastructure and related physiology

comparative study of the ultrastructure of submandibular, parotid and exocrine pancreas in diabetes and fasting

To comparatively analyze the ultrastructural changes in the submandibular and parotid glands and in the exocrine pancreas following diabetes induced by Streptozotocin exposure and the effects of fasting and insulin treatment on these alterations. For experimental procedure, we included 48 Sprague-Dawley type rats in July 2001-March 2002 at Gazi University, Turkey. We divided the rats into 8 groups following the infusion of Streptozotocin. While the degeneration manifested itself as accumulation of secretions within the mucous cells in the submandibular gland, lipid droplets were absent, being replaced by vacuolar structures. The parotid gland and exocrine pancreas, having similar properties, were affected similarly. Diabetes-induced loss of granules was observed in the serous cells in both glands. There was diffuse lipid accumulation within these cells. Regarding granule content, we observed the most prominent degenerative changes in the parotid gland. While cellular loss was observed in neither the submandibular, nor the parotid gland, we noted presence of apoptotic cells was noted in the pancreas. State of fasting was found to cause alterations within the glands indicating increased activity. While insulin treatment was seen to restore the structure to normal in general in both of the 3 glands. This study demonstrated that both of the 3 glands are affected by diabetes and concomitant fasting, and this effect manifests itself via the granule content

ultrastructural alterations in rat corneas with experimentally-induced diabetes mellitus

To examine the ultrastructural changes of rat corneas in streptozotocin [STZ] induced diabetes mellitus and the follow-up insulin treatment. Sprague-Dawley type rats was used for experimental procedures during the period from January to April 2003 at Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey. Rats were studied in 4 groups; group 1: controls, group 2: sham controls [single dose IV sodium citrate], group 3: STZ-induced diabetes mellitus [single dose 45 mg/kg STZ intravenously], group 4: diabetes mellitus + insulin treatment [8 U/day]. We observed degenerative changes in the epithelial layer, stromal keratocytes and endothelial cells in diabetic group. In contrast, the corneal layers have revealed positive alterations in the insulin-treated group. The statistical analyses showed significant narrowing in the epithelial layer in the diabetic group [p=0.002], whereas thickening was observed in the epithelial basement membrane and Descemet's membrane [p=0.002]. It was determined that diabetes mellitus causes degenerative changes in cornea, which are positively influenced by short-term insulin treatment

Innervation of the rate anterior abdominal wall as shown by modified Siher's stain

The purpose of this study was to use the modified Sihler's staining technique to demonstrate detailed distribution of the rat anterior abdominal wall nerves and test the value of Sihler's technique in demonstrating such a complex muscle-nerve relationship. The anterior abdominal walls of 5 Wistar rats were isolated by making a deep incision from the costal arches on each side down to the inguinal region and processed using a modified Sihler's stain technique. This technique was successfully applied to visualize the innervation of the anterior abdominal wall muscles of the rat. The segmental nerves of T6-L1 and their terminal branches were shown and possible motor and sensory fibers identified. This technique is valuable in understanding the complex nature of final branching of the nerve endings, and it may be useful for studying experimental nerve models

immunohistochemical approach to determine the origin and possible function of the juxtaoral organ in dogs

In this study, we applied immuno- histochemical techniques on the functionally little known organ of Chievitz [juxtaoral organ [JOO]] in dogs to determine its origin and possible function. The term abortive materials of 6 Doberman dogs were used for experimental procedures in July 2002 to June 2003 at Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, after routine light microscopic tissue preparation, the sections were stained with Masson's trichrome stain. In order to elucidate the function-related origin of the organ, we used epidermal growth factor [EGF-r], transforming growth factor [TGF-alpha] and nerve growth factor [NGF-beta] immunohistochemical stains. We observed a very strong and widespread immunoreactivity of EGF-r and TGF-alpha on simple squamous capsular cells. We detected nerve growth factor-beta positivity in granular form both in simple squamous capsular cells and in neighboring connective tissue. However, we did not detect EGF-r reactivity on parenchymal cells except a weak immunoreactivity on central ones. We noticed transforming growth factor-alpha in most of the parenchymal cells while we observed NGF-beta strongly in all the parenchymal cells. These results may point out that the JOO may be of mesothelial or epithelial origin. Having NGF-alpha positive granules and close relationship with blood vessels may imply a neurosecretory function. We believe that our study may add new perspectives to the function of the JOO