Histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study on the structure of meibomian gland of adult male albino rat

Meibomian gland function is critically important in maintaining the health and integrity of the ocular surface. This gland, through its production and secretion of lipids, promotes the stability and prevents the evaporation of the tear film. Few researches had been published concerning the histochemical and immunohistochemical structure of this tissue. This study was carried out to highlight the structural characteristics of meibomian gland of adult male albino rat using histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. The present study was carried out on 15 adult male albino rats. The upper eye lids of both sides were dissected out and the specimens of one side were processed for paraffin sections and stained with haematoxylin and eosin, Mallory's triehrome, Periodic acid Schiff's PAS] and immunohistochemical staining. The lids of the other side were frozen, in optimal cutti;g temperature compound, sectioned with cryostat and stained with oil redO. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections showed the meibomian gland consisted of numerous branched acini, each acinus consisted of a basal layer of flattened cells and a mass of rounded cells with vacuolated cytoplasm. Mallory's trichrome stained sections showed the tarsal plate within which the meibomian gland was located. PAS stained sections showed PAS+ve reaction on the basement membranes surrounding the acini, Oil red O stained sections showed the acinar cells of meibomian gland distended with lipid droplets of variable color density. In addition, the acini of meibomian gland showed positive staining for estrogen and androgen rcccptors. It could be concluded that meibomian gland had positive staining with antibodies for estrogen and androgen receptors. Also, the lipid contents of the meibomian gland had variable color density

Light and electron microscopic study on the effect of lithium carbonate on the thyroid gland of adult male albino rat

Lithium carbonate is the treatment of choice for acute manic episodes. It is often referred to as an anti-manic drug as it prevents mood swings in patients with manic-depressive disorder. Thyroid disturbances during lithium treatment had been reported. This research was performed to study the effect of lithium carbonate on the thyroid gland of albino rat and the possibility of recovery after drug withdrawal. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into three equal groups; Group I [Control Group], group II received lithium carbonate at a daily dose of 14.4 rug for each rat for 6 weeks orallyand group III received the same dose of lithium carbonate as group II and then left untreated for another 6 weeks to study the possibility of recovery after the drug withdrawal. The specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. Sections of lithium carbonate treated rats showed enlarged irregular shaped thyroid follicles with papillary infoldings projecting into the follicular lumena. Detached and desquamated follicular cells were seen in the follicular colloid. The follicular cells showed apparent hyperplasia and bizarre-appearing nuclei. The interstitial tissue showed cellular infiltration, presence of deeply eosinophilic large cells and fibrosis in some specimens. Ultrastructurally, there was cellular debris in the follicular lumena. Some follicles showed dark follicular cells containing electron dense cytoplasm and indistinct organelles. The above structural changes were much less pronounced in group III [Recovery Group]. Lithium carbonate induced histological changes in the thyroid gland of albino rat and most of these changes were seen to be improved after withdrawal of the drug, So, the use of this drug should be justified in clinical situation under direct medical supervision

Histological and immunohistochemical study on the effect of 5-fluorouracil on the jejunal mucosa of adult albino rat and evaluation of the protective role of L-glutamine

5-Fluorouracil [5-FU] is the most frequently used chemotherapeutic agent in colorectal cancer. L-glutamine is the principal circulating amino acid, accounting for around SO% of the total exchangeable amino acid pool. The gut is a major site of glutamine utilization and the small bowel epithelium is considered the principal organ of glutamine uptake. Alimentary tract mucositis is a serious problem complicating cancer treatment and its pathobiology remains incompletely understood. This work was performed to study the effect of 5-EU on the jejunal mucosa of adult male albino rats and to evaluate the possible protective role of L-glutaminc. This study was carried out on 35 adult male albino rats which were divided into; group I [control group], group II [animals received an intrapcritonial injection of 5-FU at 150 mg/kg as a single injection and killed 4 days later] and group Ill [animals received 5-PU as group II and L-glutamine 1 g/kg orally once daily for 5 days, starting I day before 5-PU]. The specimens were prepared for histological and immunohistochemical examination. Morphometric study was also done and statistical results were analyzed. Sections of 5-PU-treated rats [Group II] showed shortening, kinking, broading of the jejunal villi, flattened mucosa. erosion of the lining epithelium. decrease in the number of goblet cells and disrupted crypt area. Immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] showed a significant decrease in the number of PCNA - positive nuclei in the crypts. On the other hand. animals which received 5-PU and L-glutaminc [Group Ill] showed improvements in the mucosal architecture and also a significant increase in the number of PCNA positive nuclei in the crypts. Supplementation of L-glutaminc is effective in reducing the morphological derangement of jejunal mucosa caused by 5-FU. It is advisable that patients receiving 5-PU could use L-glutamine to minimize its side effects

Effect of simvastatin on the exocrine part of the pancreas in adult albino rat and the possible protective role of coenzyme Q10: a light and electron microscopic study

The statins represent the drugs of choice for treatment of hypercholesterolaemia. Because of the common use of statins [including simvastatin], both physicians and patients have demonstrated valid concerns about the safety associated with the use of such medications. This work was performed to study the effect of simvastatin on the exocrine part of the pancreas and to evaluate the possible protective role of Coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10]. The present study was carried out on 35 adult male albino rats which were divided into; group I [control group], group II [given 1.44 mg of simvastatin once daily for 12 weeks] and group III [given simvastatin in the same dose concomitantly with 3.6 mg of CoQ10 once daily for the same period]. The specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. Sections of simvastatin-treated rats showed morphological changes in acinar cells in the form of pyknotic nuclei, cytoplasmic vacuolation, abnormal shape of acini, congestion of blood vessels and widening of interstitial tissue. By Verhoeff's Van Gieson's stain, dissolution of elastic laminae was detected in some blood vessels. Ultrastructurally, there were variation of electron density of zymogen granules, dilation of both RER and perinuclear space, large vacuoles and damaged mitochondria in some acinar cells. The above findings were less prominent in animals treated with both simvastatin and CoQ10. Simvastatin has a harmful effect on the exocrine part of the pancreas and it is advisable that patients receiving simvastatin could use CoQ10 to minimize its side effects

Effect of streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus on the morphology of rat submandibular salivary gland

This study was done to examine the response of the rat submandibular salivary glands to streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus. 30 adult male albino rats were used, 15 of them as control and the rest were given a single I.V dose of streptozotocin [65mg/kg body weight] to induce diabetes. The submandibular salivary glands of both control and experimental animals were examined by light and electron microscopy at 3,6,12 weeks post treatment. There was a reduction in secretory granules content of the granular ducts and accumulation of lipid in the acinar cells. With increasing duration of diabetes, the number of secondary lysosomal structures in both acini and granular ducts was apparently increased

Lung injury induced by butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT] in mice: light electron microscopy and DNA electrophoretic pattern study

Butylated hydroxyltoluene [BHT] is a synthetic antioxidant widely used as an additive to foods, drugs and cosmetics. Although BHT carries the designation Generally Recognized As Safe, recent studies have questioned its safety. This investigation was carried out to study the effects of different oral doses of BHT on the lung of albino mice, using light and electron microscopy and DNA Electrophoretic pattern. The results obtained showed hemorrhagic disorders and congestion of pulmonary blood vessels, vacuolization and necrosis of alveolar epithelium and damage of endothelial cells. Also cellular infiltration in some areas was observed and there was a loss of architecture of the lung and local fibrosis in some specimens. One week after withdrawal of the drug the lung architecture appeared to achieve recovery which was evident by reappearance of the usual shape of the lung alveoli