Assessment of liver biopsies in obese patients: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Obesity is a multifactorial condition that involves complex interactions of metabolic, physiological, social, and behavioral factors. Obese individuals have an increased incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [NAFLD], which is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. However, the histological course of NAFLD remains undescribed. The aim of this study was to determine the histological course of NAFLD in obese patients. Twenty biopsies [10 from male and 10 from female patients] were obtained from obese patients and processed for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Liver biopsies from obese patients showed single or multiple fat droplets within the cytoplasm of liver cells. Ballooning of hepatocytes containing Mallory bodies showing positive immunohistochemical reactions was observed. Moreover, inflammatory cells were detected in hepatic lobules, together with hepatic cell necrosis. These changes were associated with periportal fibrosis. In patients for whom the diagnosis of NAFLD has already been made clinically, liver biopsy is performed to make the distinction between simple steatosis and steatohepatitis and also to determine the severity of liver damage within the broad spectrum of steatohepatitis. Further studies are required to determine the natural history of NAFLD and the role of liver biopsy in monitoring therapeutic responses

Histological study of the cerebral cortex and spinal cord in a model of experimentally induced autoimmune encephalomyelitis in adult albino rabbits

Axonal damage is responsible for the increasing disability seen in patients afflicted with multiple sclerosis [MS]. An animal model of autoimmune encephalomyelitis may help to develop better therapeutic and neuroprotective strategies. The aim of the study was to investigate the histological patterns of axonal injury and the mechanism of demyelination in autoimmune encephalomyelitis in the cerebral cortex and spinal cord of adult albino rabbits. Twenty male adult albino rabbits were divided into two groups: the control group - group I [10 animals] - and the experimental group - group II [10 animals]. Autoimmune encephalomyelitis was induced by the injection of 0.3 ml/kg of 0.01% ethidium bromide solution. The animals were sacrificed and their cerebral cortex and spinal cord were processed for light microscopic examination, whereas electron microscopy was used to study the lumbar segment of spinal cord. Light microscopic examination of the cerebral cortex and spinal cord showed some cellular infiltration, together with degeneration and necrosis of nerve cells. Electron microscopic examination of the white matter of the spinal cord showed areas of destruction of nerve fibers, together with defective myelination. The extent of motor neuron inflammation and demyelination, axonal damage, and white matter pathology are reflective of the severity of experimental MS. Our results delineate the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model as a valuable tool for MS research

Do stem cells promote healing of experimentally induced wound injury in adult male dogs? Histological and immunohistochemical study

Background: Stem cells have generated considerable interest and promise as a potential source of cells for cell-based therapeutic strategies, primarily owing to their intrinsic ability to self-renew and differentiate into multiple functional cell types. Stem cells have been utilized to regenerate viable skin tissue

Aim of the work: The present study was carried out to investigate the healing capacity of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells [BM-MSCs] and its regenerative role in experimentally induced wound injury

Materials and methods: The present study was carried out on 18 dogs. The study included two groups. Group I [n=6] was used a negative control and received no treatment. Group II was used as an experimental group and was divided into subgroup IIa [n=6], used as a positive control, and subgroup IIb [n=6]. Subsequently, three circular wounds were made using a 10-mm diameter skin punch biopsy in the animals of subgroup IIa and subgroup IIb to induce wound injury. Group IIb were injected subcutaneously with undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells at a dose of 1.4-1.6×10[6]/ml in 5 ml sterile saline into the wound bed for 2 weeks after wound injury; skin biopsies from the wound areas were prepared for staining by H and E and immunostaining using anti-Thy-1 [CD90] antibodies

Results: BM-MSC-treated wounds showed accelerated wound closure, with increased re-epithelialization of the epidermis, increased dermal cellularity and hair follicles, and angiogenesis. This was confirmed by the apparent increased immunoreactivity of the cell content of anti-rat Thy-1 CD90 cells in the dermis

Conclusion: Asubcutaneous injection of autologous undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells into the wound bed is an effective method of wound regeneration and can be used in chronic wounds as in a diabetic foot

eulexin exert toxic effects on the prostate of adult male albino rats? Histological and immunohistochemical study

Eulexin [flutamide] is a pure nonsteroidal antiandrogen drug widely used in the treatment of prostatic cancer, hirsutism, and acne vulgaris. The aim of this work is to determine the histological and immunohistochemical effects of eleuxin on the prostate of adult albino rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were used and divided into a control group of six rats and an experimental group of 24 rats. This group was further subdivided into three subgroups [eight rats each]. Each rat of the experimental subgroups received a daily dose of 67.5mg/kg body weight of flutamide by the oral route. Animals were weighed and sacrificed after 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The prostate specimens were subjected to H and E, PAS reaction, and immunohistochemistry for androgen receptor [AR] and estrogen receptor [ER] localization. Statistical analysis of body weight and area% of the immunoreactivity of ARs and ERs was carried out. Eleuxin induced a significant reduction in the body weight of the rats of the experimental subgroups. Moreover, the experimental groups showed a significant decrease in the immunoreactivity of ARs and an increase in the immunoreactivity of the ERs. Early changes in acini were represented by folding of some areas of acini, whereas other acini were rudimentary after 2 weeks of treatment. Cystic dilatation of acini with a decrease in epithelial height was observed in acinin treated for 4 weeks. Highly dilated and irregular acini with no stroma in between were observed after 6 weeks of treatment and there was an apparent acini decrease in the cell number with dilated and congested blood vessels. There was a decreased PAS reaction in the apical parts of epithelial cells with an irregular apparent thick basement membrane especially in the folded area. Eleuxin exerted many histological effects on the prostate of adult albino rats. Further study is required to determine the effect of flutamide on the function of the male reproductive system, especially fertility