Incidence and origin of cholesterol in various pathological conditions

Presence of cholesterol crystals is a prominent histological feature of a variety of pathological conditions. Cholesterol crystals are generally accepted as being a constant feature of dental cysts. This study was carried out on a series of 122 dental cysts, 200 granulomas and neoplasms. Cholesterol clefts were present in 46 cases of dental cysts, in 21 periapical granulomas, in one out of six cases of ameloblastoma, in one out of 4 cases of calcifying epithelial odontogenic cyst and in one out of 16 cases of benign salivary gland tumours. The results obtained from examination of paraffin sections have demonstrated that, of those cysts which contained cholesterol clefts, clefts were more frequently present in the capsule [35 cysts, 76%] than in the cavity [11 cysts, 24]]. In the other pathologic conditions, clefts were present in the fibrous capsule and in the stromal tissue. The fact that cholesterol is formed more in the fibrous element of all the various pathological conditions mentioned suggests a close relationship between the two. These findings support the hypothesis that the origin of cholesterol is from the fibroblast cells. It is not surprising that the origin of the cholesterol crystals is still largely hypothetical and based upon little factual information. There are basically two schools of thoughts. On the one hand, it is postulated that cholesterol accumulates in the tissues as a result of degeneration and disintegration of cells in particular epithelial cells, [Counsell[9] Darlington[10], Thoma and Goldman[18]. On the other, it is suggested that the cholesterol is of haematogenous origin [Jacobs and Stone[14], Fairhurst[11] and Browne[7]. The present study was undertaken to investigate the incidence of cholesterol crystals in dental cysts and other pathological lesions and to correlate its formation with the fibroblast cells. This study consisted of a histologic examination of specimens from 122 consecutive cases of dental cysts, 200 granulomas and the neoplasm specimens sent to our department. All these cases were diagnosed from the clinical, radiologiocal and microscopical features. All the specimens examined were formalin fixed. Paraffin sections were prepared, stained with haematoxylin eosin and studied microscopically. Cholesterol clefts were present in 46 out of 122 cases of dental cysts. Clefts were more frequently present in the capsule Fig. 1. [35 cysts 76 percent] than in the cavity Fig. 2 [11 cysts 24 percent]. In 20 cases out of the remaining 76 wide haemorrhagic areas were found in the cyst walls without formation of cholesterol Fig. 3. The 200 cases of periapical granuloma showed cholesterol clefts in 21 cases Fig. 4. Large number of odontogenic and non-odontogenic tumours were examined and cholesterol clefts were found in only one cases of ameloblastoma out of 6 cases Fig. 5, in one out of 4 cases of calcifying epithelial odontogenic cysts Fig. 6 and in one out of 16 cases of benign salirary gland tumours, Fig 7. Inflammatory cells were found in all these pathological cases with cholesterol clefts. Minute haemorrhages and marked vascularity were seen in most of the cases. The first observation is the different incidence of cholesterol in the dental cysts and the various

Studies on some steroidal hormones III- Evaluation of steroid hormone interaction with specific nuclear proteins in-vitro

Five steroidal hormones were used for the aim of this investigation namely: testosterone, progesterone, 17-beta-oestradiol, ethynyloestradiol [EO] and norethisterone acetate [NEA]. The effect of test hormones on specific nuclear proteins and nuclear DNA of liver cells was studied. Results were compared and analyzed statistically

Behcet's disease: III Report on ophthalmological manifestations of 15 cases in Fayoum Province, ARE

Ophthalmological manifestations of 15 cases of Behcet's disease were reported. Follow-Up for 3 years was conducted. Therapeutic observations were reported

Studies on some analgesic anti-inflammatory drugs

4-anisilidino-amino-antipyrine [I.S.[4]] has been synthesised in The National Organisation For Drug Control and Research, Egypt in 1967. Its analgesic properties were evaluated in comparison to Dipyrone in-vivo and in-vitro. The aim of this work is to report its possible clinical as well as haematological side reactions during 20 days course in 30 human subjects for the first time. Results of this investigation proved that the test compound is almost free of drug side-reactions under our experimental conditions. Possible side-effects on other body systems will be the subject of a separate work

Studies on some steroidal hormones

The release of lysosomal enzyme isolated rat liver following exposure to varying concentrations of 17 beta- oestradiol in-vitro is hereby presented. The direct effect of the hormone on the enzyme activities was determined, and the actual release of the enzymes was recorded. Differences between enzyme patterns in relation to hormonal concentration levels and time of exposure were compared

Clinical and histopathological study of pulp condition in cases of furcation involvement

Sixty six patients with furcation involvement were studied clinically through careful examination including grade of furcation involvement [Grade I, II, III and IV], pulp vitality and x-ray pictures. In this work, no definite relationship was found between pulp tester readings and the pathological condition of the pulp. Histological examination was done on serial paraffin sections prepared from 36 molar teeth of which 6 were of grade, I, 6 of grade II, 12 of grade III and 12 of grade IV. It was found that teeth presented with grade I and II furcation involvement usually have almost normal pulp Grade III showed partial and total pulpitis in nearly half of the cases Grade IV revealed pulp abscess formation, degeneration and necrosis in most of the cases. This study showed the necessity of proper treatment planning in the form of Careful periodontal therapy. 2. Occlusal adjustment to minimize further resorption of the bony septum in the furcation. 3. Cases presented with grade III furcation involvement, treatment should be done as before together with endodontic treatment as normal pulp was not found and changes as pulp death may occur in this grade following deep periodontal therapy 4 Cases presented with grade IV furcation involvement are mostly hopeless, however careful clinical and radiographic examination may necessitate endodontic treatment together with root resection and hemisection in suitable conditions