Effect of long term food-restriction [low-caloric diet] on pars distalis of the anterior pituitary gland of adult male albino rats: a biochemical and histological study

Nowadays, many people are interesting to reduce their weight and improve their health by decreasing the calories through decreasing the food intake. Long term food restriction affects the function of many organs. Studying the changes of the pars distalis of anterior pituitary gland histologically and biochemically in food restricted rats. Sixteen adult male albino rats were divided into; control and experimental group. In experimental group, the food supply was restricted to 60% of the mean food supply of the control group for three months. Blood samples were obtained to evaluate the levels of thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH], follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], adrencorticotrophic hormone [ACTH], growth hormone [GH] and prolactin hormone. The pituitary glands were dissected and prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. In the food-restricted rats, there was a non significant change in ACTH and prolactin, a significant decrease in FSH and a highly significant decrease in TSH, GH and LH. Microscopic examination revealed that many somatotrophs, mammotrophs, gonadotrophs and thyrotrophs exhibited similar changes in the form of swollen mitochondria with loss of their internal cristae and reduction in the amount of secretory granules. Some degenerated cells showed irregular small nuclei with condensed chromatin. The corticotrophs were less affected and most cells were more or less similar to those of control group. In food restricted rats the somatotrophs, mammotrophs, gonadotrophs, and thyrotrophs cells showed morphological changes that can be correlated with the biochemical findings. On the other hand, corticotrophs were less affected. These changes might explain the recorded disturbed functions of many organs in human on low-caloric diet

Histological study on the effect of fluvoxamine maleate on the femur of adult male albino rat

Nowadays, many people are suffering from depressive state and the antidepressive drugs are frequently used. Fluvoxamine maleate is one of the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors [SSRIs] which are the commonest used group of antidepressants. Many cases of bone fracture are reported in the SSRIs used than other antidepressive drugs. Studying the effects of fluvoxamine maleate; as one of the commonly used SSRIs, on the femur of adult male albino rat using light and electron microscope. Fourteen adult male albino rats divided equally into control and experimental group were used. Each rat in the experimental group was daily injected subcutaneously with 2 mg/kg fluvoxamine maleate. After 28 days the femur was dissected and the bone specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic study. Microscopic sections revealed thinning out of the outer compact bone with erosion cavities leading to fracture in some specimens. The periosteum were thickened specially the fibrous layer. The inner cancellous bone trabeculae were also thinned out, destroyed and separated by wide bone marrow spaces. Both osteoblasts and osteocytes showed marked degenerative changes and were surrounded by few irregular collagenous matrix while the osteoclasts were increased and appeared more active. The bone fracture after use of fluvoxamine maleate might be considered as a result of increased osteoclastic activity and degenerative changes in both osteoblasts and osteocytes

Effect of irradiation on secretory cells of submandibular gland of adult male albino rat. histological and immunohistochemical study

The submandibular glands are commonly included in the radiotherapy field for the treatment of head and neck malignancies. Many clinical problems are produced but their mechanisms are still not understood. Was to study the effect of irradiation on secretory cells and aquaporin 5 [AQP5] distribution in submandibular gland as a trial to understand the mechanism of gland dysfunction. 15 adult male albino rats were used and were divided into two groups, group A [control group] contained five rats and group B [irradiated group] contained ten rats. Each rat in group B was irradiated with single dose of 15Gy delivered by the X-ray unit. One week after irradiation submandibular glands were dissected and were processed for histological and immunohistochemical [aquaporin 5] examination. LM study exhibited that irradiation led to cytoplasmnie vacuolization especially in serous acini with widening of spaces in-between the acini in the submandibular glands. EM study showed irregular nuclei with chromatin condensation, dilatation of RER and cytoplasmic vacuolizat ion, As regards the secretory granules, serous acini showed degranulation while the granules of mucous acini exhibited amorphous-like electron dense materials. Aquaporin 5 [AQP5] in the control group was localized in apical membrane of serous acini while absent in mucous one. After irradiation the serous acini of submandibular glands exhibited marked decrease in AQP5. Irradiation induced morphological disruption in secretory cells of submandibular gland and marked decrease in AQPS, both would responsible for gland dysfunction

Effect of experimentally induced ischemic-reperfusion on the testis and the possible protective role of L-carnitine in the adult albino rat; histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical study

Ischemic-reperfusion [I/R] injury is a possible cause of testicular damage and infertility after testicular torsion. L-carnitine is a naturally occurring compound widely distributed in all cells and plays a pivotal role in spermatogenesis. Was to study the effect of I/R injury on the structure of testis on the same side with or without L-carnitine. 25 adult albino rats were divided into group I [control], group II [left spermatic cord was clamped for 60 min [I/R]] and group III [each animal received 500 mg/kg L-carnitine i.p. 30 min before reperfusion]. All animals were scarified after 4 weeks and the testes were processed for histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical studies for Bcl-X and testosterone Ab-1. Furthermore, statistical analysis for percentage of sperms abnormalities was examined in smears from the head of the epididymis. I/R injury induced severe affection of the spermatogenic cells and changes in the Leydig cells activity. The changes were improved in animals that received L-carnitine [Group III]. The spermatogenic and interstitial cells in this group appeared more or less as these of the control. The Bcl-X protein was apparently increased in I/R group and reduced in group III while the testosterone Ab-1 was increased in some cells of groups II and preserved in group III. I/R resulted in a significant increase in the frequencies of abnormal sperm while L-carnitine improved this lesion. L-carnitine pretreatment appeared to have a protective effect in experimental testicular I/R model in rats by its antioxidant and antiapoptic properties

histological and immunohistochemical study on the possible role of vitamin a in ameliorating lung injury of mice exposed to toluene

Toluene is a widely used solvent in various industries and commercial products in Egypt; as colour mixers, painters, printers and petrol truck drivers. It represents a worldwide problem in environmental contamination and a common cause of occupational and non-occupational lung diseases. Studying the effects of toluene on the lung of mice histologically and immunohistochemically as well as evaluating the possible ameliorating role of vitamin A. Twenty-five adult male mice were divided into; group I [control], group II [each mouse was exposed to 50 ppm toluene inhalation for 6 hours daily/5days /week for 6 weeks] and group III [each animal was given 1.0 ml corn oil orally/day containing 910 IU of vitamin A after last toluene exposure for 6 weeks]. The lungs were processed for histological and immunohistochemical examination. Toluene inhalation led to focal areas of collapse alternating with over expanded alveolar spaces, congested vessels and degenerated alveolar epithelium. There was a statistically highly significant thickening of the interalveolar septa and fibrosis. Mice treated with vitamin A after toluene exposure, showed amelioration of these changes with appearance of many cuboidal regenerating cells. There was a highly significant increase of CD44v6 immunoreaction in group II and a non significant change in group III. It could be concluded that the environmental toxicant, toluene, induced histological and immunohistochemical changes in the lung. Amelioration of such changes by vitamin A, might direct the attention to vitamin A and carotenoids as protective measures for the lung

Effect of atorvastatin and ascorbic acid on the gastrocnemius muscle of hyperlipidemic rats: histological, histochemical and biochemical study

Atorvastatin is a member of statins family which are widely used for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease. Unfortunately, it induces muscle toxicity that limits its use. The present work was performed to evaluate the extent of these toxic effects and to clarify the role of high dose of vitamin C [ascorbic acid] in controling hyperlipidemia and as a protective against statin myotoxicity. This study was conducted on forty adult male albino rats divided into one control group [eight rats] and four experimental groups [eight rats each]. Animals of the control group received normal standard diet while the experimental groups were fed hyperlipidemic diet alone [Group I], or with an additional i.p 200 mg vitamin C [Group II], oral 2.5 mg atorvastatin [Group III] and both vitamin C and atorvastatin [Group IV]. After three months, total lipids and creatine phosphokinase were measured. Histological and histochemical changes in gastrocnemius muscle were also evaluated. The biochemical results established efficacy of both drugs [atorvastatin and vit C] either alone or combined in the treatment of hyperlipidemia by a highly significant reduction of total cholesterol, triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein [LDL] and elevation of high-density lipoprotein [HDL]. CPK showed a highly significant increase in group III only. This group [Group III] showed variable degrees of cellular affection and myopathic changes in the form of splitting, fragmentation, loss of transverse striations, and focal areas of degeneration with vacuoles and cellular infiltration. Peripheral accumulation of glycogen and an apparent decrease in succinic dehydrogenase activity were also seen. Electron microscopy revealed that the myofibrils were not in register and showed many vacuoles, irregular nuclei and mitochondrial affection. Active fibroblasts and an apparent increase in collagen fibers were also seen. The last group [IV] which received vit. C in addition to atorvastatin showed few degenerated muscle fibers with many new regenerating ones. The regenerating fibers showed numerous, central or peripheral nuclei. The glycogen content was patchy among muscle fibers and there was an apparent increase in succinic dehydrogenase enzyme activity. From the above findings, it could be concluded that vitamin C is a safe and effective lipid-lowering drug alternative to statins. It can also protect against statin myotoxicity