Histological study of the protective role of curcumin versus ginger on renal corpuscles of carbon tetrachloride-treated mice

Carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] has long been known as a model toxicant. Antioxidants are used to antagonize the deleterious action of free radicals. Numerous reports suggest that both curcumin and ginger have antioxidant effects. This work was carried out to compare between the possible protective roles of curcumin and ginger on renal corpuscles of CCl[4]-treated adult male albino mice using light and electron microscopes. A total of 45 adult male albino mice were used for this study and were divided into four groups: group I served as the control group. Group II received 0.2 ml/kg CCl[4] subcutaneously twice a week for 4 weeks. Group III received CCl[4] and curcumin concomitantly at a dose of 80 mg/kg once daily orally for 4 weeks. Group IV received CCl[4] and 1 ml of ginger at a dose of 24 mg/ml once daily orally for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, renal specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic study. Morphometric analysis was also carried out on electromicrographs to evaluate for filtration barrier integrity. Renal corpuscles of CCl[4]-treated mice showed shrunken, lobulated, and hypercellular glomeruli with podocytic affection and mesangial cell proliferation. Morphometric analysis displayed disruption of filtration barrier integrity. Both curcumin and ginger resolved most of these morphological alterations. However, ginger was proven to be more potent than curcumin. Concomitant administration of ginger with CCl[4] has a more protective effect than curcumin on the renal corpuscles of adult male albino mice

Effect of aflatoxin-B1 on rat cerebellar cortex: light and electron microscopic study

Introduction: Aflatoxin contamination of foods is a worldwide problem, especially in developing countries. The effects of aflatoxins on the cerebellum are not well studied

Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible neurotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1 on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rats

Materials and methods: A total of 30 adult female albino rats were used. They were divided into two groups. Group I [10 animals] was allowed water ad libitum and fed a standard diet [negative control]. Group II [20 animals] was administered 5 ml aflatoxin B1 orally by a gastric tube every week for 8 consecutive weeks. Samples from the cerebella were taken and processed for light and electron microscopic investigation

Results: Light microscopic examination of the cerebellar cortex of aflatoxin-treated animals showed its prominent neurotoxic effect on the Purkinje cell layer, with less effect on the granular and molecular layers. Glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells were more abundant in the three cortical layers of treated animals compared with the control animals. Ultrastructural study of the cerebellum of the aflatoxin-treated group showed dilated Golgi complex and accumulation of secondary lysosomes in association with nuclear shrinkage and irregularity within Purkinje cells. Many myelinated nerve fibers and nerve cell processes in the molecular and granular layer belonging to the affected nerve cells showed degenerative changes

Conclusion: It could be concluded according to this study that aflatoxin B1 has a neurotoxic effect on the cerebellar cortex of adult female albino rats

possible protective role of curcumin on the toxic effect of nicotine in the lung of adult male mice: histological study

Nicotine is an alkaloid that is responsible for most of the dangerous effects of cigarette smoking on the human body. Curcumin is a component of turmeric that is a yellow spice derived from the plant Curcuma longa and has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimalignant properties. The aim of this work is to study the protective role of curcumin against the cytotoxic effect of nicotine on the lungs of adult male mice using light and electron microscopes. Thirty adult male mice were used in this study. They were divided into three groups. The first group was considered as the control, the second group received a subcutaneous injection of nicotine at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day for 1 month, and the third group received a subcutaneous nicotine injection at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day and oral curcumin at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day for 1 month. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and specimens of the lungs were extracted and processed for examination by light and electron microscopy. In the nicotine-treated group, thickening of the interalveolar septa with narrowing of air spaces was observed, thick abnormal elastic fibers and many collagenous fibers were deposited in lung interstitium, and an apparent increase in the number of pneumocytes type 11 cells with exhausted lamellar bodies was observed. Concomitant administration of nicotine and curcumin resulted in partial recovery from these toxic effects. Curcumin can be used to decrease the harmful effects of nicotine on the lungs in both active and passive smokers

Ultrastructral study of rat lung alveoli after silica inhalation

Silicosis is a fibronodular lung disease caused by inhalation of dust containing crystalline silica [silicon dioxide]. To investigate the changes in the lung alveoli after silica dust inhalation on the ultrastructural level in rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were used and divided into 2 groups [15 animals each]; the l[st] group [Group I] served as a control group, silica dust [SiO[2]] was administrated by inhalation to the 2[nd] group [Group II] [10 times daily for 6 weeks]. Lung specimens were processed for study by electron microscope. After silica treatment, features of thickening of the interalveolar septum by cellular and connective tissue infiltration were manifested. Ultrastructural changes were observed in the form of cellular abnormalities represented by degeneration, vacuolation, dilatation of the rER and clarification of the cytoplasm of type II pneumocytes. Cellular infiltration by neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, mast cells and macrophages was also observed. Furthermore fibrosis manifested by collagen deposition has been found. Silica is directly cytotoxic to pulmonary target cells. We should always remember that if it is silica, it is not just dust and avoid exposure