Histological and immunohistochemical study on the survival of diced cartilage grafts wrapped in surgical and fascia in albino rabbits

Diced cartilage graft is commonly used in plastic and reconstructive surgery such as auricular reconstruction and rhinoplasty. Wrapping diced cartilage with fascia or surgicel or other wrappers can affect the survival of cartilage grafts. This study was carried out to verify the survival of cartilage grafts when they are unwrapped or wrapped with surgicel versus fascia. This study was carried out on 20 adult male albino rabbits. They were divided into four equal groups. Cartilage grafts were harvested from both ears of group I. One part was used as the control and the other part was diced into 0.5-mm pieces and implanted into subcutaneous dorsal pockets of the other three groups as follows: group II received unwrapped diced cartilage grafts, group III received diced cartilage graft wrapped in surgicel, and group IV received diced cartilage graft wrapped in fascia. At the end of the eighth week, the rabbits were sacrificed and the original surgical sites were incised with their implants. The specimens were prepared for histological and immunohistochemical study using glial fibrillary acidic protein to be examined by means of a light microscope. Cartilage grafts wrapped in fascia showed the best survival, and cell viability was more or less similar to that of normal cartilage. They showed significant increase in the nuclear lacunar count, number of glial fibrillary acidic protein -positive chondrocytes, and in the pixel intensity of Mallory trichrome-stained sections. This was superior to those kept without wrapping and to those wrapped in surgicel. Diced cartilage grafts wrapped with fascia demonstrated normal cartilage architecture with respect to chondrocyte viability and collagen and elastic content compared with cartilage grafts kept without wrapping or those wrapped in surgicel

Histological study of the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on healing of skin defect in adult male albino rats

Despite advances in wound care, skin loss results in significant morbidity and mortality. There is increasing evidence that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells [BM-MSCs] are useful for tissue regeneration because of their multipotency and easy isolation and culture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of local administration of in-vitro-expanded BM-MSCs in the healing of experimentally induced full-thickness excisional wounds in adult male albino rats. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were used. They were divided into three groups. In group I rats, BM was isolated and cultured and skin specimens were obtained as a control. In group II rats, a full-thickness circular skin wound of 5mm in diameter was inflicted on the mid back of each rat and was examined on days 3, 7, and 14. In group III rats, the wound was inflicted as in group II, which was then treated with BM-MSCs and examined as in group II. The wound areas were excised and used for histological and immunohistochemical studies for CD105. Morphometric analysis was performed for assessment of epidermal thickness, area percentage of collagen and elastic fibers, and number of CD105-positive cells. Wounds treated with BM-MSCs [group III] showed evidence of re-epithelialization, increased epidermal thickness, hair follicle formation, collagen, and elastic fibers compared with wounds in group II. Similarly, the number of CD105-positive cells was prominently increased in the skin of the same group. Local administration of in-vitro-expanded BM-MSCs accelerates and promotes healing in full-thickness excisional wounds

Histological study of the protective role of curcumin versus ginger on renal corpuscles of carbon tetrachloride-treated mice

Carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] has long been known as a model toxicant. Antioxidants are used to antagonize the deleterious action of free radicals. Numerous reports suggest that both curcumin and ginger have antioxidant effects. This work was carried out to compare between the possible protective roles of curcumin and ginger on renal corpuscles of CCl[4]-treated adult male albino mice using light and electron microscopes. A total of 45 adult male albino mice were used for this study and were divided into four groups: group I served as the control group. Group II received 0.2 ml/kg CCl[4] subcutaneously twice a week for 4 weeks. Group III received CCl[4] and curcumin concomitantly at a dose of 80 mg/kg once daily orally for 4 weeks. Group IV received CCl[4] and 1 ml of ginger at a dose of 24 mg/ml once daily orally for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, renal specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic study. Morphometric analysis was also carried out on electromicrographs to evaluate for filtration barrier integrity. Renal corpuscles of CCl[4]-treated mice showed shrunken, lobulated, and hypercellular glomeruli with podocytic affection and mesangial cell proliferation. Morphometric analysis displayed disruption of filtration barrier integrity. Both curcumin and ginger resolved most of these morphological alterations. However, ginger was proven to be more potent than curcumin. Concomitant administration of ginger with CCl[4] has a more protective effect than curcumin on the renal corpuscles of adult male albino mice

Light and electron microscopic study on the effect of valproic acid on cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rats and the possible protective effect of L-carnitine

Valproic Acid [VPA] is one of the most widely prescribed antiepileptic drugs and is regarded as a first choice for most forms of seizures. Although valproic acid has a wide therapeutic window, yet it is associated with many adverse effects. L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound widely distributed in all animal cells. It has neurotropic, neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible neurotoxic effect of valproic acid [Depakene] on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rats when used alone and when given concomitantly with L-carnitine. In this study twenty four adult male albino rats were used and divided into four groups [six rats each]: Group I was the control group, group II [L-carnitine group]: Each animal received 100mg/kg L-carnitine, group III [Valproic acid treated group]: Each animal received 50 mg/kg valproic acid and group IV received valproic acid concomitantly with L-Carnitine. Both drugs were given orally once daily for three months. Light microscopic examination of cerebellar cortex of valproic acid treated animals revealed its prominent neurotoxic effect on Purkinje cells and granule nerve cells in association with vacuolation in the molecular layer. Ultrastructural study of the cerebellum of the same group showed dilated Golgi complex and accumulation of secondary lysosomes in association with nuclear shrinkage and irregularity within Purkinje cell perikarya. Many myelinated nerve fibers and nerve cell processes in the molecular and granular layer belonging to the affected nerve cells displayed similar degenerative changes. On the other hand group IV revealed resolving of most of these alterations. However, few Purkinje and granule nerve cells were seen affected in between the normal ones. It could be concluded according to this research that valproic acid has a prominent neurotoxic effect on the cerebellar cortex of the adult male albino rats that can be reduced by concomitant administration of L- carnitine

Histological study of sodium fluoride effect on cardiac muscle of male adult albino rat

Fluoride exists in varying concentrations in the environment either naturally or as a consequence of human activities such as agricultural and industrial processes. Humans are in great risk of exposure to fluoride through different ways either in water, foods or in drugs. Fluoride is toxic by all routes especially when consumed in excessive amounts. Several clinical studies recorded that intake of fluoride at high concentration for prolonged periods was associated with cardiovascular failure and impairment in myocardial function. Accordingly, this work was performed to evaluate the effect of sodium fluoride on the cardiac muscle of male adult albino rats and to study the possibility of recovery or regression of this effect after its withdrawal. For this purpose, 30 adult male albino rats were used and divided into two main groups; the control group [10 rats] and the experimental group [20 rats] that were divided into four subgroups [A, B, C and D] five rats each. The first three subgroups received sodium fluoride in a dose of 5, 20 and 50mg /kg b.wt. respectively orally once daily for three months. The subgroup D [recovery group] received sodium fluoride in a dose of 50 mg/kg b.wt. for three months and then left without treatment for another two months. Light microscopic examination of sodium fluoride treated subgroups [A, B and C] revealed loss of the normal architecture with wide separation and fibrillolysis of the cardiac muscle fibers. All these changes were associated with cytoplasmic vacuolation and nuclear pyknosis in association with vascular congestion and cellular infiltration. Transmission electron microscopic examination confirmed the previous findings in association with myofibrillar degeneration, shortening of the sarcomeres, disruption of the sarcolemma, mitochondrial changes and deposition of collagen fibrils. The recovery group [subgroup D] displayed regression of dilation and congestion of myocardial blood vessels together with resolving of cellular infiltration. However, the cardiac muscle fibers showed no evidence of regression of most of the histological alterations. Could be concluded according to this research that, sodium fluoride has a dose dependant cardiotoxic effect which was shown to be irreversible two months after withdrawal of the highest dose