Effect of glimepiride on the aorta of adult albino rats after induction of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic progressive disease that is associated with long-term complications such as diabetic angiopathy. Glimepiride is a third-generation sulfonyleurea that has an extrapancreatic effect on glucose metabolism besides its hypoglycemic action. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of glimepiride on the aorta of the adult albino rat after induction of diabetes mellitus. Forty adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into two main groups: group I and group II. Group I was the control group and group II was the experimental group. Group II was further divided into group IIA, in which 10 rats received glimepiride orally for 8 successive weeks, group IIB, in which 10 rats were given streptozotocin by means of a single intraperitoneal injection, and group IIC, in which 10 rats were given streptozotocin by means of a single intraperitoneal injection and were then given glimepiride orally for 8 successive weeks. Thus, a total of four groups of rats were studied. Five rats were randomly selected and sacrificed after 4 weeks, and another five rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks from the beginning of the experiment. The aorta was taken from each group and prepared for histological and electron microscopic examinations. The aortic tissue of the diabetic rats in group IIB showed apparent intimal thickening and accumulation of fatty cells within the subendothelial region with disturbance in the connective tissue distribution in the intima and the media. Electron microscopic study revealed atrophic endothelial cells in the intima. The internal elastic lamina was interrupted and the smooth muscle cells showed intracytoplasmic fat droplets. In group IIC, the aorta showed mild thickening and minimal fatty deposition in the subendothelial region. Electron microscopy revealed that the intima and the internal elastic lamina were nearly intact as in the control group. It could be concluded that glimepiride could alleviate the progression of aortic affection produced in case of experimentally induced diabetes mellitus

[Effect of atorvastatin on pancreatic oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat]

Previous studies have shown that atorvastatin inhibits oxidative stress in different tissues of body during certain pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of atorvastatin treatment as an antioxidant to prevent pancreatic oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Method: The experiment was performed in four groups of rats [n=5 each] normal, normal treated, diabetic and diabetic treated, who were made diabetic by intravenous injection of streptozotocin [40 mg/kg]. After 30 days of treatment, pancreas tissue was removed under deep anesthesia. After tissue homogenization, superoxide dismutase [SOD] and catalase [CAT] activities, as well as glutathione [GSH] and malondialdehyde [MDA] levels were determined by biochemical methods. In addition to increased blood glucose levels in diabetic rats [78%], enzymes activities of SOD and CAT were significantly increased, compared to the normal rats. Also, induction of diabetes significantly decreased the GSH content of pancreas by 40%, and increased MDA level by 53%. Finally treatment with atorvastatin significantly increased the content of GSH and prevented augmentation of SOD activity. Based on findings of this study, diabetic-induced hyperglycemia provokes the production of pancreas free radicals that lead to oxidative stress. Also, treatment with atorvastatin may prevent hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in the pancreas tissue of these animals

[Histoire d'une rate errante: un case rare d'abdomen aigu]

We present the case of a 17-yearold patient known to have an asymptomatic ectopic spleen, who presented with an acute abdomen. Clinical symptoms and ultrasound led to suspect an acute appendicitis, confirmed later on by pathology. Twenty-four hours after the appendectomy, the patient complained of an abdominal pain of acute onset. Torsion of the pedicle of the ectopic spleen was suspected. Imaging studies supported this diagnosis, and an urgent splenectomy was performed. Did the torsion happen by simple coincidence 24 hours after appendectomy, knowing that the spleen has been asymptomatic for 17 years, or was it precipitated by the surgical intervention ? Should we have removed the ectopic spleen during the appendectomy ? This is the first report of a case of torsion of a wandering spleen after a laparotomy ; a review of the literature is done in order to explain the physiopathology of the disease, and to propose its management

White and grey matter abnormalities in some neurometabolic disorders: a clinico-radiological correlation

Inborn errors of metabolism [IEM] are common throughout the Middle East, presumably because of the relatively high rates of consanguinity. Disorders of inborn errors of metabolism that affect the CNS are divided according to MRI picture into disorders involving grey or white matter or both. Only very few studies on inborn errors of metabolism have been done in Egypt. However, with the introduction of MRI and increasing awareness of the disease, more and more cases of metabolic diseases are being diagnosed. Many of these diseases if detected early can be cured and MRI might play a vital role in its early diagnosis. MRI has virtually replaced all other imaging modalities including CT in the evaluation of white matter diseases due to its excellent gray-white matter resolution and multiplanar imaging capability. The aim of this work is to identify the pattern of white and grey matter involvement in some neurometabolic diseases and to evaluate the role of MRI as an investigative modality in inborn errors of metabolism and to document its value in early diagnosis and hence management. This is a descriptive study done among 800 patients suspected of having an inborn error of metabolism and referred to the clinic of inherited metabolic disease at Cairo University Children Hospitals, at the centre of Social and Preventive Medicine. Only fourteen patients were found to have the diagnosis of metabolic disease and abnormal findings on MRI. Out of 14 cases, 11 were males [78.6%] while 3 [21.4%] were females. At presentation, the mean age +/- SD of the patients was 4.36 +/- 3.775 years, and their ages ranged from 9 months to 16 years. Four cases [28.5%] were diagnosed as Leigh disease, 4 cases [28.5%] as metachromatic leukodystrophy, 2 cases [14.2%] as Canavan disease, 1 [7.1%] as methylmalonic academia, 1 [7.1%] as Vander Knappe disease, 1 [7.1%] as mucolipidosis, and one [7.1%] as Wilson disease. Clinical presentation included positive consanguinity in 9 cases [64.3%], other sibs affected in 5 cases [35.7%]. Global developmental delay in 3 cases [21.4%], and developmental regression in 11 cases [78.6%]. Attacks of disturbed conscious level with metabolic acidosis were encountered in 5 cases [35.7%]. Seizures were encountered in 6 patients [42.9%] [four of them were generalized tonic clonic, one was multifocal clonic and one was hemifocal]. All types achieved good control on one or two antiepileptic drugs. Extrapyramidal symptoms were present in 5 cases [35.7%], and ataxia in 2 cases [14.3%]. On examination there was spasticity in 11 cases [78.5%], while only 3 patients [21.4%] were hypotonic. On measuring the skull circumference, 6 patients [42.9%] had microcephaly, 4 patients [28.5%] were macrocephalic and 4 cases had normal skull circumference. Fundus examination was done and revealed optic atrophy in 2 cases [14.3%]. MRI was a guide in reaching a proper diagnosis in these cases, definitive diagnosis was done by tandem mass spectrometry [TMS], enzymatic essay and skin or gingival biopsies according to each case. When properly used, MRI pattern recognition approach in conjunction with the other imaging tools can be very useful for separating the complex group of metabolic disorders into more manageable groups. Indeed, sometimes this approach allows a specific diagnosis to be made. Although the pattern of disease in MRI is not often specific, the distribution may suggest a differential diagnosis that may be pursued by increasingly specific enzyme analysis

Effects of exercise training and vitamin E on cardiac performance in aged rats

Aging is characterized by impaired contractile function in the heart. Meanwhile, during senescence the heart faces a high risk of free radical injury which may be a reason for development of myocardial dysfunction in the aged heart. To investigate this, we compared the effects of swim exercise training versus vitamin E treatment on age associated changes in intrinsic cardiac function in response to beta- adrenergic stimulation, induced ischemia and reperfusion. Rats were divided into a] control group b] exercise-trained group c] vitamin E treated group. Isolated hearts were studied in a Langendorff preparation for their intrinsic properties, and their responses to beta- adrenergic stimulation. After recovery the isolated hearts were subjected to global ischemia followed by reperfusion. The results showed that the exercise program adopted resulted in enhancement of time to peak tension response of aged hearts to beta- adrenergic stimulation. Following ischemia/reperfusion [I/R], such program enhanced half relaxation time. Treatment of the aged hearts with vitamin E maintained coronary blood flow and improved the inotropic cardiac reserves. Vitamin E proved to be cardioprotective against the toxic doses of catecholamines as well as the injury of post I/R on the heart. Coronary effluent from hearts of vitamin E _ treated rats had the significant highest level of nitrate compared to the other two groups when measured at 3.46 micro g dose of isoproterenol and at 30 min of reperfusion. Vitamin E enhanced cardiac responsiveness to beta- adrenergic stimulation, and protected the aged heart against I/R injury. Preservation of NO from being transformed to peroxynitrite by antioxidant action of vitamin E may have played a significant role. Swim- training program did not show promising cardio-protective effects against cardiac changes associated with the aging process

Histological [light and electron microscopy] and histochemical studies of parathyroid gland of goose

Twenty adult healthy geese were utilized in this work, where their parathyroids were removed after slaughter [7 pairs of parathyroids; R and L for histology [L.M.], 7 pairs for histochemistry and 6 pairs for electron microscopy]. The results revealed that, parathyroids of goose were one on each side, in a close proximaity to, the caudal extremity of each thyroid gland on the same side. The glands were invested in a thick capsule, which could be differentiated in some areas into an outer dense more alcianophilic, and an inner looser and less alcianophilic. The stroma was rich in thick branched trabeculae with high vascularity, mast cells were difficult to be seen. The main cell types forming the parenchyma were numerous small basophilic and darkly stained cells, few large light or clear chief cells with slightly vesicular nuclei. Small circumscribed groups of large cells, with vacuolated cytoplasm and large vesicular nuclei, were seen in few areas surrounded by dense branched trabeculae. There were no oxyphil cells. The enzymatic reactions revealed a strong SDH and acid phosphatase reaction, but moderate reaction was for alkaline phosphatase and non-specific esterase. The electron microscopy revealed numerous mitochondria and rER in the dark chief cells more than in lighter chief cells. Few glycogen granules appeared in the light chief cells. Heterogeneous secretory granules were found, some of the light cells appeared binucleated. Pores of nuclear membranes were guarded by daphragms, the nucleoli of these cells were less prominent than in dark cells. Perivascular spaces were distinct. Transitional cells with irregular nuclei were seen by E/M. Other results were mentoined and discussed

Comparison between Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis antigens in agglutination tests for Brucella diagnosis

A total of 288 serum samples from infected herds with brucella were collected. SAT and RBPT using Br. abortus and Br. melitensis antigens were employed in a trial for assessment of the two antigens in the diagnosis of brucellosis. It seems advisable from the present results to use Br. melitensis antigen for detecting animals infected with Br. melitensis