Histological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric study on the postnatal development of Peyer's patches in albino rat

Peyer's patches [PPs] are essential elements of the gut-associated lymphatic tissue that are involved in defense against pathogens that may be colonizing the gut and are also involved in oral food tolerance otherwise food allergy occurs. This research aimed to study the postnatal development of PPs in male albino rats. Fifty male albino rats were divided into five groups of 10 animals each. Group 1 [1 day old], group 2 [1 week old], group 3 [2 weeks old], group 4 [4 weeks old], and group 5 [8 weeks old]. The terminal part of the ileum was dissected out and processed for light and electron microscopic examinations. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff and immunohistochemical staining was carried out for detection of CD3 and CD20 [markers of T and B lymphocytes, respectively]. Quantitative morphometric study was conducted, and the results were statistically analyzed. Early during postnatal period, PPs appeared as small epithelial elevations overlying small aggregates of lymphocytes. The size of PPs and lymphocytic cell density increased gradually to reach maximum by adult age [group 5]. Most of the lymphocytes were of the T type early postnatally followed by increase in B lymphocytes during the following age groups. Germinal centers started to appear in group 4 and in the adult age group. The epithelium covering the surface of PPs showed reduced number of goblet cells, and M cells started to appear from the age of 2 weeks onward. Epithelium covering the PPs showed structural changes matching with functional specialization such as gradual reduction of goblet cells and appearance of M cells. In addition, an association was found between the times of onset of M cells and B-Iymphocytic follicles in PPs

Plasma cholesterol and lipoproteins profile in healthy Saudi persons

to study the differences in the concentrations of plasma total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], LDL-C and HDL-C in normal healthy Saudi persons according to gender, age and lifestyle. For all tested research group the blood was drawn after an overnight fasting period [12-14hrs] using heparinized tubes. Enzymatic colorimetric method were used for analyse and the mean values and standard deviation for all parameters were obtained. The results showed lower T.C, TG and LDL-C levels through childhood group [< 1-14 years] for both sexes with no significant differences between rural and urban areas. With the exception of HDL-C, other parameters increased with increasing of age for both sexes, indicating the effect of diet and lifestyle. However, HDL-C decreases during adolescence reaching its lowest level at the age of 40 years. It remains constant up to the age of 55 years in both sexes, and then it started to rise to a constant level at later ages. This coincided with significant increase of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C that approached the dangerous levels in both city males and females above 40 years of age. This study suggests that differences in dietary habits and lifestyle were much more effective in the adult groups who lived in cities at an age above 40 years to be at risk of coronary heart disease. This was in line with the significantly higher levels of bad cholesterol and lower levels of the good one

effect of zinc deficiency on the cartilage cells and matrix

Zinc deficiency was induced in mature male Shinshella rabbits by feeding for eight weeks a complete balanced diet containing phytates to chelate zinc. These rabbits were compared with controls fed on the same type of diet but without phytatis. In zinc deficient rabbits alopecia and a lighter eye colour were noticed. Histologically, the chondrocytes in deficients rabbits elastic cartilage accumulated more glycogen than the control and showed an acidophilic cytoplasm while that of the control was basophilic. The acidophilia indicated a decrease in protein synthesis by the cells, a process which needs zinc. The increased glycogen content might be due to a decrease in the cell activity and polymerization of excess glucose into glycogen. In zinc deficient rabbits and in comparison with the control, the cartilage matrix showed a decrease in its basophilia, metachromasis, and a less positive P.A.S. reaction. This indicated a decrease in the matrix proteoglycans content. Also a decrease in matrix elastic fibers content was noticed. Matrix proteoglycans and fibers contain proteins and are formed and released by chondrocytes. The decrease in their matrix content might be due to the direct effect of zinc deficiency on protein synthesis by chondrocytes, and its indirect effect on their release through liver somatomedines