Metformin treatment confers protection of the optic nerve following photoreceptor degeneration / 대한해부학회지

Acquired or inherited or photoreceptor loss causes retinal ganglion cell loss and ultimately axonal transport alteration. Thus, therapies should be applied early during photoreceptors degeneration before the remodeling process reaches the inner retina. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of metformin on the rat optic nerve following photoreceptors loss induced by N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Eighteen adults male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Group I: normal vehicle control (n=6). Group II: ENU-induced photoreceptors degeneration (n=12) received a single intraperitoneal injection of ENU at a dose of 600 mg/kg. Rats in group II were equally divided into two subgroups:IIa: photoreceptor degeneration induced group and IIb: metformin treated group (200 mg/kg) for 7 days. Specimens from the optic nerve were processed for light and electron microscopy. In ENU treated group, the optic nerve revealed reduction in the diameter of the optic nerve fibers and thinning of myelin sheath with morphological changes in the glia (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia). Caspase-3 (apoptotic marker), iNOS (oxidative stress marker) and CD68 (macrophage marker) expression increased. In metformin-treated group, the diameter of optic nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness increased with improvement of the deterioration in the glia. Caspase-3, iNOS and CD68 expression decreased. Metformin ameliorates the histological changes of the rat optic nerve following photoreceptors loss induced by ENU.

Metformin treatment confers protection of the optic nerve following photoreceptor degeneration / 대한해부학회지

Acquired or inherited or photoreceptor loss causes retinal ganglion cell loss and ultimately axonal transport alteration. Thus, therapies should be applied early during photoreceptors degeneration before the remodeling process reaches the inner retina. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of metformin on the rat optic nerve following photoreceptors loss induced by N-Ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU). Eighteen adults male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Group I: normal vehicle control (n=6). Group II: ENU-induced photoreceptors degeneration (n=12) received a single intraperitoneal injection of ENU at a dose of 600 mg/kg. Rats in group II were equally divided into two subgroups:IIa: photoreceptor degeneration induced group and IIb: metformin treated group (200 mg/kg) for 7 days. Specimens from the optic nerve were processed for light and electron microscopy. In ENU treated group, the optic nerve revealed reduction in the diameter of the optic nerve fibers and thinning of myelin sheath with morphological changes in the glia (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia). Caspase-3 (apoptotic marker), iNOS (oxidative stress marker) and CD68 (macrophage marker) expression increased. In metformin-treated group, the diameter of optic nerve fibers and myelin sheath thickness increased with improvement of the deterioration in the glia. Caspase-3, iNOS and CD68 expression decreased. Metformin ameliorates the histological changes of the rat optic nerve following photoreceptors loss induced by ENU.

Toxopathological studies on the effect of heavy metals emitted from superphosphate factory on the reproductive performance of male goats

The present study was designed to evaluate toxopathological effects of heavy metals emitted from superphosphate factory on the reproductive performance of male goats. Thirty male goats were selected from Gaz. El-Akrad area adjacent to factory [group 1] and five male goats from Dairut area [group 2] served as control. Serum samples were used for determination of cadmium, fluorine, testosterone and prostatic acid phosphatase. Tissue specimens were obtained from testes, epididymis and prostate for histopathological examination. It was observed that the level of cadmium and fluorine was significantly increased in the serum of exposed group when compared with control group. It was observed that the mean level of testosterone in group 1 was extremely significantly decreased while the level of prostatic acid phosphatase was significantly increased when compared with control group. Histopathological findings in the testicle of male goat of the group 1 revealed testicular degeneration with formation of spermatid giant cells. Congestion of the blood vessel, edema and fibrosis of the interstitial tissue with formation of sperm granuloma were noticed. The epididymis showed edema, fibrosis and necrosis of the epididymal tubules. The prostate gland showed edema, fibrosis and hyperplasia. Our results strongly suggest that cadmium and fluorine intoxication produces adverse effects on sexual fertility with hormonal and pathological alterations in male goats

Histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies on the effect of melatonin on pituitary-testicular axis in aged male albino rat

Aging is a biological process affecting mammalian tissues and organs at different rates. The present work was done to study the effect of melatonin as anti-aging therapy on the structure of the testis and the pars distalis. A total number of 25 male albino rats were used. The animals were divided into three groups: group [I] served as a control adult group [6 months age], group [II] was the control aged group [20-months age] and group [III] was treated with melatonin. The specimens of the testis and pituitary glands were prepared for light and electron microscopy. Histological and immunohistochemical techniques were used to examine these organs. It was found that age-related changes occur in the histological immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of the testis and pituitary gland. Also, treatment with melatonin as anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger caused improvement of these changes in the pituitary gland as well as the testis. The age-related changes that occurred in the testis included progressive involution and germ cells depletion in the seminiferous tubules which contained only Sertoli cells. Ultrastructural apoptotic changes of germ cells increased with aging and abnormal morphology of the resulting sperms were found. This might result in decapacitating sperm function increase in interstitial tissue. Leydig cells exhibited ultrastructural changes which might lead to a decrease in their activity and testosterone production. As regard the pituitary gland; different utrastructural changes occurred in the somatotrophs or GH cells. The ultrastructrual and immunohistochemical studies of gonadotrophs or LH/FSH cells showed marked deterioration with progression of age. Treatment with melatonin from the adult state improved the morphological and ultrastructural changes that occurred with aging

Histological structure of male rat pituitary gland following treatment with paracetamol singly or concomitantly with honey

Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, is one of the most commonly used drugs as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Paracetamol contains a phenol ring and an acetyl group raising the possibility that it might have sex steroid antagonist properties. A small proportion of the drug is metabolized into a reactive metabolite, which is normally detoxified by glutathione. Over dose might cause glutathione depletion and oxidative stress. Honey is considered as an antioxidant because of the presence of ascorbic acid, flavonoid and alpha-tocopherol. This work was carried out to investigate the morphological modifications that would occur in the pituitary gland of male rats in response to the administration of acetaminophen in therapeutic dose for one month duration and a possible protective effect of honey when given concomitantly with paracetamol. Thirty adult male albino rats were used. The animals were divided into three groups. Group I served as a control Group II were given paracetamol orally in a dose of 800 mg/kg/day for one month. Group III were given paracetamol in a similar dose and duration concomitantly with honey in a dose of 2.5 gm/kg/day orally. All the animals were sacrificed and the pituitary gland was dissected out and processed for general histological and ultrastructural examination of the pars distalis. The pars distalis of group II revealed variable structural changes in the gonadotrophs and somatotrophs. In group III the changes extended to involve the thyrotrophs. The most characteristic change was the excessive dilatation in ER. It is concluded that paracetamol influences the structure of pars distalis in a selective form. Honey modifies paracetamol effect, possibly via its ascorbic acid contents

Role of vitamin c and honey in the repair and regeneration of wound in adult male albino rats exposed to gamma-irradiation

Delayed wound healing in surgical patients who have received previous irradiation continues to be a significant problem. The aim of this study is to investigate whether radiation decreases the process of wound healing and whether supplemental vitamin C and honey can improve irradiated post surgical soft tissue healing. Forty adult male albino rats were used in this work. They were divided equally into four groups. Group I the animals were wounded only, Group II the animals were wounded then irradiated, Group III the animals were treated with vitamin C plus combined irradiation and wound, Group IV animals received local application of honey plus combined irradiation and wound. Animals were sacrificed after 5 days and the wound area was cleaned carefully with 70% alcohol and the entire length of wound was excised. The specimens were fixed in formalin and processed for paraffin sections and light microscopy. Group II showed marked delay in the process of wound healing and large necrotic tissue and ulceration. In group III the wound showed complete epithelialization and the epidermis was several cells thick. In group IV there was also complete epithelialization but the epidermis was formed of few layers of flat cells and there was also persistence of excessive granulation tissue. Therefore, the present work demonstrates that the use of vitamin C is of great value in improving the process of healing of wounds exposed to irradiation

Marked suppression of experimental autoimmune myocarditis by simvastatin therapy in adult male wistar rats

Experimental autoimmune myocarditis [EAM] is a well-established animal model for human autoimmune myocarditis and postmyocardilis dilated cardiomyopathv. Recently, independent of their anti-hyperlipidemic properties, statins have been categorized as new agents that ameliorate the course of several organspecific autoimmune inflammatory diseases. Thus, this study aimed to assess the possible immunoinflammatory suppressive potentiality of simvastatin therapy on EAM. Three groups of male Wistar rats were investigated in this study: Normal control group, untreated-EAM and simvastatin- treated EAM, EAM was induced by subcutaneous immunization with porcine cardiac myosin at days, 0 and 7. Simvastatin [10 mg/kg per day] was administered orally for 20 days. On day 21, the hearts were dissected out, weighed, and prepared for histological and immunohistochemical examinations. To evaluate the effects of simvastatin therapy on production of T helper type-1 [Th1], proinflammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor- alpha [TNF-alpha] and interferon- gamma [IFN-gamma], and the plasma cholesterol levels were measured at days 11 and 21 in all groups. Daily administration of simvastatin to rats with EAM efficiently suppressed myocarditis development, its histopathological severity, and macrophages infiltration [ED1+ Cells] and other mononuclear cells into hearts. The treated rats had significantly decreased heart weight and heart weight/body weight ratio [Hw/Bw] compared with untreated animals. The up-regulated serum levels of TNF-alpha and IFN gamma during the course of EAM were promptly down-regulated by simvastatin therapy. Plasma cholesterol levels did not differ between the groups. Our data reveal that chronic therapy with simvastatin potentially ameliorated EAM via inhibition of Th1 proinflammatory cytokine production and macrophage infiltration, and this activity is independent on cholesterol reduction. Furthermore, we anticipate that simvastatin could be a new immunotherdpeutic tool for autoimmune myocarditis and other cardiac autoimmune impairments

Harderian gland of adult and aged male guinea pig a histological and ultrastructural study

The Harderian gland [HG] was studied in mature [4 months] and aged [2 years] male guinea pigs with light and electron microscopic techniques. The glandular tissue showed yellow green autofluorescence. The gland is surrounded by a collagenous capsule. It consisted of compound tubuloalveoli lined by a single layer of epithelial cells and possessing myoepithelial cells within their basal lamina. Semithin sections revealed two types of secretory cells; light and dark. Ultrastructurally three types of secretory cells could be recognized: type IA, type IB and type II. Type IA cells were the most readily observable one. The contained numerous lipid vacuoles, but no secretory vesicles. Type IB cells characteristically possessed numerous secretory vesicles with dense core. Type II cells exhibited light cytoplasm containing an elaborate SER, few lipid vacuoles and dilated RER cisternae. The gland is characterized by a specialized duct system within its substance. The gland structure showed several aging changes. These included invasion of the parenchyma with inflammatory cells, frequent detection of both plasma cells and mast cells, degeneration in both the secretory and the myoepithlial cells, increased deposition of connective tissue fibers as well as appearance of numerous immature blood capillaries. The results indicate that the guinea pig HG possesses several peculiar morphological features that deserve further investigations

effect of vitamin E on cisplatin induced Testicular changes in adult male Albino rats: physiological and histological studies

Cisplatin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment. It is used for the treatment of many cancerous lesions as testicular, bladder and thyroid cancers. It is known to impair spermatogenesis. Vitamin E, as slow acting free radical scavenger, has been shown to ameliorate nephro, oto and neurotoxicities in animals receiving cisplatin. The aim of this study is to evaluate the testicular protective effect of antioxidant supplementation with vitamin E in rats treated with cisplatin. Twenty-five adult male albino wister rats of 200-250mg weight were divided into three groups: Group [I] 5 animals served as a control, group [II]: 10 animals treated with cisplatin twice weekly for one month by intraperitoneal injection in a dose of 4mg/kg. Group [III]: treated with vitamin E by intramuscular injection concomitant with cisplatin injection twice weekly for one month. Animals were sacrificed; specimens were taken from the testis and processed to be examined by light and electron microscopies and semen analysis was performed. Blood samples were collected and prepared for hormonal analysis of LH, FSH and testosterone. Semen analysis was performed. The results obtained showed damaging effects on germ cells, abnormal mitotic figures of spermatogenic cells and malformed spermatozoa. The serum levels of testosterone in animals treated with vitamin E were significantly higher than corresponding levels in control group and group II. As regard semen analysis there was an increase in the number of sperms and an improvement in their movement and activity with vitamin E. This indicates that vitamin E which is an effective antioxidant, protects rat testis against cisplatin-induced destruction and it reversed different cisplatin-associated side effects

Histological and immunohistochemical studies of effect of fenugreek seeds on the pituitary, mammary glands and ovary of lactating rabbits

The present work was done to study the effect of fenugreek seeds on the structure of the pars distalis, ovary and mammary gland of lactating rabbit. A total number of 24 lactating rabbits was used. The animals were divided into two groups. One served as a control lactating group [8 rabbits] and the other group was lactating rabbits treated with the seeds [16 rabbits]. The control and treated rabbits were sacrificed after two weeks and four weeks. Specimens of the pituitary gland were prepared for electron microscopy [E/M]. Mammary gland was prepared for light and electron microscopy while the ovary was prepared for light microscopy. Another specimens of the pituitary, mammary glands and ovary were prepared and processed for immunohistochemical application of mouse monocolonal prolactin [PRL] receptor antibody to detect the prolactin receptors in these tissues. This study cleared that, there was apparent increase in the number, size and signs of activity of mammotrophs. The mammary gland showed an increase in the activity of the alveolar cells and in the amount of milk secretion. As regard the ovary, there was an apparent increase in the number of primary follicles. There was progressive increase in the amount of atretic follicles. Corpus luteum showed progressive decrease in size and degeneration. The number of healthy growing follicle was reduced. The immunohistochemical study demonstrated a progressive increase in the number and size of mammotrophs that showing positive reaction for PRL receptor antibody. The mammary gland showed positive reaction in the alveolar cells and in the stroma cells. The ovary showed strong positive reaction for PRL receptor antibody. It becomes obvious that the treatment with fenugreek seeds leads to stimulation of the mammotrophs and mammary gland. At the same time it causes suppression of the ovary. In conclusion, the use of fenugreek seeds has a double advantageous effects as its ingestion by lactating females increases the milk production and in the mean time it suppresses the ovary which may decrease the possibility of pregnancy during lactation. So, we recommend the use of fenugreek seeds instead of the hormones or chemical drugs for more milk production and as a partial ovulation inhibitor