possible protective effect of vitamin C on the kidney cortex of adult female albino rat after chronic exposure to malathion: a light and electron microscopic study

Chronic exposure to malathion is still a major medical problem in occupational and environmental settings. The raised issue of the antioxidants effect on different tissues provides a new line of protection against the inevitable exposure to insecticide residues in food or through environmental contamination. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of vitamin C supplementation on renal cortical tissue after chronic exposure to malathion. Thirty female albino rats aged 3 months were divided into three equal groups: group I control adults were fed the basal diet; group II was given commercial malathion dissolved in distilled water orally by intragastric tube at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 2 months; and group III was given malathion in the previously described way at the same dose in addition to vitamin C [pure ascorbic acid powder] dissolved in distilled water and given orally by intragastric tube at a dose of 20 mg/100 g/day for 2 months. The specimens were obtained from the kidney and prepared for light and electron microscopic examinations. Morphometric and statistical studies were carried out in the three studied groups. It was observed that treatment with malathion disrupted the normal histological structure of the renal cortex. Thickened glomerular basement membrane was evident. There was widespread vacuolation of tubular lining epithelium and increased heterochromatin clumps in most of the nuclei. The mitochondria appeared disorganized with loss of cristae. The diameter of renal corpuscles and renal tubules increased, whereas tubular epithelium height decreased significantly compared with the control. Moderate improvement in the previous findings was detected on concomitant supplementation of vitamin C. Vitamin C supplementation played a protective role on the renal cortex exposed to chronic malathion toxicity at the subcellular level

Effect of green tea on aged rat skeletal muscle: a light and electron microscopic study

Age-related sarcopenia represents a powerful risk factor for the loss of independence and physical disability in the elderly. Green tea contains a series of polyphenols called catechins and has been applied for disease prevention and treatment. To determine the effects of the intake of green tea on age-related changes in skeletal muscle. Thirty female albino rats were divided into three equal groups: group I [control adults] included 6-month-old rats, group II [aged]included 18-month-old rats, and group III [green tea treated] included 12-month-old rats that received green tea at a dose of 300mg/kg body weight in 1.5ml distilled water orally daily by a gastric tube for 6 months. Quadriceps muscle was dissected bilaterally and prepared for light and electron microscopical examination. Morphometric and statistical studies of the mean cross-sectional area of myofibers were carried out in the three studied groups. With increasing age, there were focal degeneration and atrophy, and significant decrease in the mean cross-sectional area of myofibers. The connective tissue framework showed increased collagen fiber deposition and deficient reticular fibers. Ultrathin sections showed areas of myofibrillar loss and mitochondria with destroyed cristae. Dense shrunken nuclei of satellite cells were observed. After treatment with green tea, normal-appearing myofibers, except for centrally located nuclei, were observed. The mean cross-sectional area of myofibers increased significantly compared with the aged group. Collagen and reticular fibers were relatively similar to those of the control. Proliferation of satellite cells was observed with restoration of normal myofiber ultrastructure. Good regenerative outcome was observed in aged skeletal muscle after the intake of green tea