Election microscopic study of the cardioprotective effect of some antioxidants on adrenaline-induced myocardial injury in albino rats

Adrenaline is a sympathomimetic drug used as a local haemostatic and in allergic conditions. It is a life-saving drug when used in emergency treatment of angioneurotic edema, anaphylactic shock, status athmaticus, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and cardiac arrest. Many adverse effects have been reported following adrenaline administration including cardiomyopathy which was considered to result from oxidative stress. The aim of the present work was to study the possible effect of adrenaline on the ultrastructure of the myocardiuin in albino rats and to evaluate the possible cardioprotective effect of some antioxidants. The study was conducted on 20 adult male albino rats that were divided into four equal groups: group I [control group], group II [treated group] that received daily injection of adrenaline, group III that received alphatocopherol simultaneously with adrenaline and group IV that received a combined dose of alphatocopherol and ascorbic acid simultaneously with adrenaline. The duration of the experiment was ten days. Rats were sacrificed one hour after the last injection Examination of the myocardium of group II revealed severe ultrastructural changes that were less obvious in group 111 and very mild or almost absent in group IV

comparative study of the effect of some salivary stimulants on the ultrastructure of parotid acini in albino rats

Parotid gland has a dual nerve supply: sympathetic and parasympathetic. They both activate salivary secretion. Parasympathetic stimulation results in copious watery secretion whereas sympathetic stimulation results in small amount of enzyme-rich secretion. The aim of the present study was to compare between the effect of three different drugs [alpha and beta adrenergic and cholinergic] on the ultrastructure of parotid acini in albino rats. Twenty eight adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into four groups: group I [control group], group II [pilocarpine group], group III [noradrenaline group] and group IV [isoproterenol group]. Group II, III and IV were further subdivided according to the duration of treatment into subgroup A that received one single injection and subgroup B that received a daily injection for seven days. 1. Pilocarpine group showed wide intercellular canaliculi of parotid acini denoting the release of profuse watery secretion. 2. Isoproterenol group revealed degranulation of serous acinar cells denoting the release of enzyme-rich secretion. 3. Noreadrenaline group showed degenerative changes in the cytoplasmic organelles as well as the nuclei of serous acinar cells. Thus, noreadrenaline is not recommended to be used clinically as a salivary stimulant

Ultrastructural study of the effect of hydrocortisone on the fundic glands in albino rats and the possible protective role of lycopene

Hydrocortisone is widely used in the treatment of a variety of conditions. A common side effect of its use is gastritis and peptic ulceration. Lycopene is one of the major carotenoids in diet, particularly in tomato and tomato products. It is an active antioxidant that has recently received great concern for its protective effect against several pathological lesions. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effect of hydrocortisone on the ultrastructure of fundic glands of albino rats and the possible protective effect of lycopene. The study was conducted on 20 adult male albino rats that were divided into four equal group: group I [control group], group II [positive control group] that received by gastric intubation a lycopene rich diet "Ketchup" which was calculated to equal a dose of 1 mg/Kg b.w./day, group III [treated group] that received intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone in a dose of 50 mg/Kg b.w./day, and group IV [protected group] that received lycopene simultaneously with hydrocortisone. The duration of the experiment was 20 days. Examination of the fundic glands of the treated group revealed ultrastructural changes in all the lining cells. In the protected group, such changes were almost completely absent