Human myometrial interstitial cajal like cell [Telocyte] in preterm and full term labour: histological and immunohistochemical studies

Introduction: Preterm labour is a common obstetric problem. The human myometrium is formed of two types of cells namely smooth muscles and interstitial Cajal like cells or telocytes which express both estrogen and progesterone receptors

Aim of the work: This study aimed to know how many telocytes are present in the pregnant uteri at time of labour in the different gestational ages and the possible role of telocytes in preterm labour

Patients and methods: 10 pregnant women were included in the study planned to do cesarean section. They were divided into two groups: Group I: included 5 cases whose gestational age was less than 37 weeks [preterm]. Group II: included 5 cases whose gestational age was more than 37 weeks [full term]. Specimens were obtained from the myometrium at the time of the operation and processed for histological and immunohistochemical study

Results: H and E stained sections revealed hypertrophied smooth muscle fibers with different orientations. Methylene blue stain revealed telocytes between the smooth muscle fibers as a branched cell with small cell body and thin long processes. CD 117 [ckit] immunostaining revealed an apparent increase in the number of telocytes in preterm cases [Group I] compared to full term cases [Group II]. Morphometric study revealed a significant increase in the number of ckit positive telocytes in preterm cases compared to the full term one

Conclusion: Telocytes are present in the pregnant uteri at different gestational ages with a significant increase in their number in the preterm cases; they may have a possible role in preterm labour

Histopathological insight on malathion induced nephropathy which is ameliorated by antioxidants USE; an animal model

Background and aims: Malathion induced nephro-toxicity is a challenging process, several mechanisms were contributed. The present study was designed to evaluate the histopathological changes evoked by malathion in renal tissue compared to those induced by malathion plus antioxidants, to clarify the underlying mechanisms, using immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] and CD34

Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Group 1; control. Group 2 received malathion [27 mg/kg/day] orally. Group 3 received malathion plus vitamin E [400 mg] once/day, orally. Group 4 received malathion plus vitamin C [100 mg,] once/day, orally. Animals of all groups were sacrificed after 2 months. Histopathological assessment [H and E and Masson 's trichrome], PCNA and CD34 immunostaining were performed to all groups

Results: Group 2 showed a spectrum of histopathological changes; collapsing glomerulopathy with focal sclerosis, degenerative tubular changes and diffuse vascular congestion. Both groups 3 and 4 showed marked reduction of previous changes. Masson 's trichrome stained sections showed more collagen deposition in group 2 compared to groups 3 and 4. Group 2 revealed a decrease in the mean number of total PCNA positive cells [20. 8 +/- SD 5.7] [P< 0. 001] compared to control group. Groups 3 and 4 showed high significant increase in the mean number of total PCNA positive cells [31.3 +/- SD 5.7 and 31.2 +/- SD7.8] [P<0.001 and 0.004, respectively]. CD 34 immunoslaining of group 2 showed negative to minimal expression compared to moderate to strong intensity of groups 3 and 4

Conclusion: Malathion can induce a unique pattern of collapsing glomerulopathy with wide spectrum of histopathological changes. Podocytopathy is the main insult which began with podocytes proliferation and hypertrophy and ended by podocytopenia and glomerular sclerosis. The antioxidant use [vitamins E and C] provides a protective role against the previous nephrotoxic changes. PCNA imnmunostaining highlighted the role of injured podocytes while CD34 ascertained the structural and/or antigenic alteration of endothelial cells in collapsing glomnerulopathy