Preclinical immunohistochemical biomarkers for testicular changes in hyperlipidemic rats and the role of Ocimum fratissimum

High plasma levels of cholesterol or triglycerides were accompanied by testicular dysfunction, besides being a high risk factor for coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the histological effect of Ocimum gratissimum on the testes of rats with tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemia as well as investigate its effect on androgen receptor [AR] and proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] distribution as a molecular biomarker for spermatogenesis. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were used and divided into four equal groups: the control group [group I]; the group treated with crude aqueous extract of O. gratissimum [group II]; the tyloxapol-injected group [group III]; and the group injected with tyloxapol followed by treatment with O. gratissimum [group IV]. The rats were anesthetized at the time of sacrifice; thereafter, blood samples were collected to estimate the lipid profile levels, and the testis specimens were examined histologically and immunohistochemically for AR and PCNA. The present results showed a significant increase in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein and a decrease in the levels of high-density lipoprotein in the tyloxapol-injected group [hyperlipidemic rats] with histological changes in the form of loss of normal distribution of spermatogenic cells, vacuolation, diminution of germinal epithelium, and sloughing of germ cells into the tubular lumen with acidophilic material in the interstitial tissues when compared with the control group. Immunohistochemical study showed a significant decrease in the intensity of AR immunostaining in Sertoli, Leydig, and peritubular myoid cells and in the number of PCNA immunopositive germ cells; the index PCNA values were also significantly decreased in tyloxapol-injected rats in comparison with controls. O. gratissimum administration after tyloxapol injection induced a significant reduction in lipid profile with marked improvement in testicular histological changes as well as increase in the number of AR and PCNA immunopositive cells. This study revealed that AR and PCNA indexing can be used as a preclinical biomarker for testicular changes in hyperlipidemic states. The extract of O. gratissimum leaves provides effective hypolipidemic activity and exerts significant improvement in combating the harmful effects of hyperlipidemia on the rat testes

Stem cells and androgen receptor in human periapical periodontitis / Células madre y receptor de andrógenos en periodontitis periapical humana

Activation of macrophages in periapical granulomas occurs through the presence of cytokines, endotoxin and other genetic and epigenetic factors, allowing the initiation of inflammation and bone resorption. The present study aims to analyze the presence of CD133 protein (marker of stem cells) and the AR (androgen receptor) protein in biopsies of human odontogenic periapical granuloma. Biopsies from 14 adult male patients with diagnosis of periapical granuloma included in paraffin blocks were processed histologically to obtain 5-um thick sections. Protein presence was detected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry of CD133 and AR. The quantification considered the number of positive cells in 0.17 mm2 random areas under the microscope using a 1000X objective. Both CD133 and AR proteins are expressed abundantly in cells in pathological periapical granulomas tissue. The number of cells expressing CD133 and AR shows a wide variation coefficient, so its variation is a particular feature for each individual. We concluded that in human odontogenic periapical granuloma there are abundant stem cells and cells expressing AR that may be important for the pathogenic inflammatory process.

La activación de los macrófagos en los granulomas periapicales humanos se producen a través de la presencia de citoquinas, endotoxinas y otros factores genéticos y epigenéticos que permiten la iniciación de la inflamación y la reabsorción ósea. El presente estudio pretende analizar la presencia de proteína CD133 (marcador de células madre) y de la proteína RA (receptor de andrógenos) en las biopsias de granulomas periapicales odontogénicos humanos. Las biopsias de 14 pacientes varones adultos con diagnóstico de granuloma periapical fueron incluidos en bloques de parafina y se procesaron histológicamente para obtener secciones de 5 micras de espesor. La presencia de CD133 y RA fueron detectadas y analizadas por inmunohistoquímica. La cuantificación se realizó considerando el número de células positivas en áreas al azar de 0,17mm2, utilizando microscopio con objetivo de 1000X. Ambas proteínas, CD133 y RA se expresan en abundancia en las células del tejido patológico con granuloma periapical. El número de células que expresan CD133 y RA presentan un amplio coeficiente de variación, por lo que su variación es una característica particular de cada individuo. Se concluye que en granuloma periapical odontogénico humano se expresan abundantes células madre y proteínas receptoras de andrógenos, antecedentes que pueden sermuy importantes en la expresión y diagnosis de los procesos patológicos inflamatorios.