Lamotrigine Decreased Hippocampal Damage and Improved Vascular Risk Markers in a Rat Model of Pentylenetetrazole Induced Kindling Seizure

Various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) especially enzyme-inducing AEDs might be associated with increased vascular risk, through impairment of the endogenous antioxidative ability which may trigger oxygen-dependent tissue injury. Lamotrigine (LTG) a non-enzyme-inducing AED has scarce information regarding its effects on oxidative stress. The present study aimed to study the possible modulation of vascular risk factors of epileptogenesis by LTG, in a rat model of kindling seizure induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Four groups of male Wister rats were used; vehicle control group, PTZ group (alternate day PTZ, 30 mg/kg, i.p), LTG/PTZ group (LTG 20 mg/kg/day p.o and alternate day PTZ) and LTG group. The study period was 5 weeks. Lipoproteins and total homocysteine (tHcy), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. Aortic endothelial function study and histopathological examination of the rats' brains, aortas and coronaries were conducted. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), tHcy, MDA, GSH levels were significantly higher in epileptic rats than normal controls rats. A decrease in HDL-cholesterol with high atherosclerotic index was also demonstrated. The administration of LTG improved the PTZ-kindled seizures. It produced a significant decrease in TC, TG and LDL-cholesterol, MDA, aortic GSH and increase in HDL-cholesterol with no significant effect on serum GSH and tHcy levels. LTG improved endothelium-dependent relaxation, decreased hippocampal neurodegenerative changes and atherosclerotic changes of aortas and coronaries. LTG decreased seizures severity, hippocampal damage and improved vascular risk markers in this rat model of kindling seizures.

Effect of high salt loading on the retina of adult male rats with special reference to aquaporin 1: a histological and immunohistochemical study

In the retina, glial cells control ionic concentrations by mediation of transmembrane water fluxes through aquaporin [AQP] water channels. The risk factor of a high-salt diet on renal and cardiovascular systems is pretty well known. However, it is not yet known whether a high-salt diet alone can affect the retina. The aim of this study was to determine whether a high-salt diet alone can induce changes in the retina and whether it may be accompanied by changes in the expression and immunolocalization of water channel aquaporin1 [AQP1]. Forty-two adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into three equal groups. Group I served as the control group. Rats in group II were administered 2 ml of a high-salt solution [8% NaCl concentration] once daily by means of a gastric tube. Group III was the recovery group. Retinal tissues were collected and examined by means of light and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical analysis using AQP1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP] antibodies was performed and the results were statistically analyzed. The retina of rats given a high-salt diet [group II] displayed obvious disorganization of the outer segment of photoreceptors, together with cytoplasmic vacuolations in the cells of the inner nuclear and ganglionic layers. Furthermore, significant increase in AQP1 and GFAP immunoexpression was detected. In the recovery group [group III] the retinae of some rats regained their normal histological appearance, whereas others failed to do so. High salt loading might alter glial cell-mediated water transport through AQP1 channels in the retina

Possible protective effect of dietary extra-virgin olive oil on experimentally induced acute colitis in adult male albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Many therapies are used nowadays to control colitis, but side effects limit long-term effectiveness. There is growing interest in the use of dietary supplements to avoid undesirable effects that accompany the classical treatment. Considerable attention has been focused on the use of extra-virgin olive oil [EVOO] in colitis. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pretreatment with dietary EVOO on modulating the extent and severity of experimentally induced acute colitis in adult male albino rats. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided randomly into three groups: group I, which served as the control group; group II [the colitis group], in which colitis was induced by intracolonic injection of 1 ml of 2% acetic acid daily for 3 days; and group III [the protection group], in which animals received 1 ml of EVOO /100 gm body weight daily by oral gavage for 10 days starting 7 days before the induction of colitis as in the previous group. At the end of the experiment, the distal part of the colon was removed and prepared for light and scanning electron microscopic study. Statistical and morphometric studies were also performed. Induction of colitis in group II showed massive mucosal ulceration, hemorrhage, and mononuclear cellular infiltration. Moreover, submucosal exudate and vacuolation in the muscularis externa were also detected. Immunohistochemical examination showed intense infiltration by tumor necrosis factor-alpha immunoreactive cells. Pretreatment with EVOO in group III protected the colon from acetic acid-induced colitis, which was manifested by preservation of crypts and their lining epithelium and by decrease in mononuclear cellular infiltration. Administration of EVOO to adult male albino rats had an ameliorating effect on experimentally induced acute colitis, and therefore it could be used as a protective dietary measure to attenuate colitis in high-risk people

Developmental changes of internal anal sphincter in guinea pigs: a histological and immunohistochemical study

The internal anal sphincter [IAS] plays an important role in the maintenance of anorectal continence and in the pathophysiology of constipation and incontinence. Failure of a full-term newborn to pass meconium within the first 24 h should raise a suspicion of intestinal obstruction. However, the causes of functional intestinal obstruction in infants are still unclear; however, one cause might be immaturity of the IAS. This study aimed at illustrating the developmental changes in IAS in guinea pigs of different ages. Forty-one guinea pigs were selected and divided into four groups. They were sacrificed and the rectoanal canal specimens were dissected at the appropriate time from each group as follows: group I - from embryos in the third trimester; group II - from animals on their first postnatal day; group III - from animals aged 4 weeks; and group IV - from animals aged 16 weeks. The rectoanal canal specimens was prepared for histological and immunohistochemical studies. Morphometric analysis was also performed. Thickness of the IAS increased with advancing age, whereas that of the connective tissue component decreased. Moreover, alpha-smooth muscle actin filaments increased with age. There was also age-related development of the enteric nervous system, especially the myenteric plexus in the rectoanal junction region. Results of the current study revealed pronounced developmental changes in the histological structure of guinea pig IAS. Therefore, development of the IAS might have a possible role in the functional intestinal obstruction seen in preterm and full-term infants

possible protective role of aminoguanidine in gentamicin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pig: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Introduction: Gentamicin is an ototoxic drug affecting both auditory and vestibular cells. Reactive oxygen species might play important role in the molecular pathway of this ototoxicity. Aminoguanidine is one of the guanidine derivatives and is considered as an antioxidant therapy

Aim of the work: to investigate the possible protective effect of aminoguanidine on ototoxicity induced by gentamicin in guinea pig

Materials and methods: Twenty one adult male guinea pigs were used. They were divided into three groups, seven animals each. Group I: served as a control group. Group II: I.M. injection of gentamicin [80 mg/kg/day] was used for 14 days. Group III: animals received gentamicin in the same way as group II and then followed by aminoguanidine [100 mg/kg/ day] administration using a gastric tube for 14 days. At the end of experiment, the cochlea was excised and prepared for light [LM] and scanning electron microscope [SME] examination. Immunohistochemichal technique was done to detect iNOS. Morphometric and statistical studies were also done

Results: By LM and SME examination, the present study showed that aminoguanidine protected the structure of organ of Corti in the cochlea by decreasing the degeneration of hair cells and other supporting cells. It also showed a significant decrease in the iNOS immune-reactivity in organ of Corti, stria vascularis and bipolar cells in spiral ganglia compared to group II

Conclusion: Aminoguanidine is a promising and successful antioxidant therapy for ototoxicity

Comparative study on the effects of grape seed extract and telmisartan on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in adult male rats: light and electron microscopic study

Doxorubicin [DOXO] is a chemotherapeutic agent used effectively for the treatment of several malignancies. The major side effect of DOXO is oxidative injury-related cardiotoxicity, which has markedly hindered its usage. Grape seed extract [GSE] has been reported to exert protective effects on DOXO -induced cardiotoxicity. However, studies have suggested that the angiotensin receptor blocker [telmisartan] may also play a protective role in DOXO -induced cardiotoxicity. The aim of this work was to determine the effect of DOXO on rats' hearts and to compare the effects of GSE and telmisartan against DOXO -induced cardiotoxicity. Thirty adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into six groups of five animals each. Group I served as a control. Group II was administered a single intraperitoneal injection of DOXO [20mg/kg]. Group III received GSE, which was administered daily by a gavage at a dose of 100mg/kg for 12 days and DOXO was administered on the seventh day as in group II. Group IV received telmisartan, which was administered daily by a gavage at a dose of 10mg/kg for 12 days and DOXO was administered on the seventh day as in group II. Group IV received telmisartan, which was administered on the seventh day as in group II. Group V received GSE alone for 12 days. Group VI received telmisartan alone for 12 days. At the end of the experiment, the heart was prepared for histological examination and morphometric studies were carried out. It was found that DOXO exerted deleterious effects on the heart structure. GSE and telmisartan exerted a protective effect against DOXO-induced heart damage. The present study indicated that DOXO affected the structure of the rat's heart, which could be protected by GSE and telmisartan. However, the protective effect of GSE on DOXO-induced cardiac injury needs further researches for a longer duration of time to obtain more definitive results