Cellular patterning and cyto-architectural organization of the skin of electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus, Siluriformes) with a particular emphasis on its ampullary electroreceptor.

The functional morphology of the skin of Malapteruridae is presumably evolved to cope with a diversified range of ambient physiological, environmental, and behavioral conditions. Herein, we firstly characterized the microstructures and intriguing patterning of the skin of twelve adult electric catfish (Malapterurus electricus, Malapteruridae) using histological, histochemical, immunofluorescent, and ELISA standard methodology. The skin comprises three sequentially-oriented layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis with a significantly increased thickness of the former. The epidermis contains four types of cells: the surface epithelial cells, mucous cells, granular cells, and club cells. We defined distinctive ampullary electroreceptors in the outer epidermis that possess flask-shaped sensory crypt containing electroreceptor cells together with vertical collagen rods. Dermis and hypodermis are composed of connective tissue; however, the former is much more coarse and dense with comparable reactivity for Masson-Goldner trichrome (MT). Placing our data in the context of the limited body of previous work, we showed subtle changes in the expression of mucin subunits together with cytoskeletal fractions of collagens, myosin, F-actin, keratins, and tubulins. Taken as a whole, our results convincingly showed that the skin of M. electricus shares some structural similarities to other Siluriformes, however, it has some functional modifications that are implicated in protection, defense, and foraging behavior.

Histo-morphological Characterization of the Tongue and Oropharyngeal Cavity of the Shining Sunbird (Cinnyris habessinicus).

Sunbirds, as specialized nectarivores, have developed multiple lingual and oropharyngeal peculiarities imposed by this dietary specialization that particularly extract floral nectar. We have described the functional morphology of the tongues and palates of the shining sunbird, Cinnyris habessinicus, using gross anatomical, histological, and scanning electron microscopic methods. The tongue was bifurcated with fringed lamella and extended posteriorly, forming a broad trough at the lingual body and terminating in two fleshy, alae linguae. The lingual apex and body are nonpapillate and nonglandular, and its root had a muscular pad followed by a conspicuous laryngeal mound bordered by three prominent rows of conical papillae. The lingual root had clusters of mucoid glands with rich acidic mucins, and the laryngeal region had complex papillary distribution at the back margins. Both the lingual body and root had well-developed skeletal elements, musculature, and connective tissues. Furthermore, the palate was membranous and made up of four main ridges with a central choanal slit guarded by choanal papillae. Overall, the presented results showed structural and anatomical features that are the results of the nectarivory dietary niche.

Ultrastructural and histological descriptions of the oropharyngeal cavity of the rock pigeon Columba livia dakhlae with special refer to its adaptive dietary adaptations.

The current investigation gave a full ultrastructural and histological description of the oropharyngeal cavity of the rock-pigeon Columba livia dakhlae. Our study carried on 10 heads of adult rock pigeons by gross, scanning, and light microscopic examination, in addition to the immunohistochemical analysis of the cytokeratin of the dorsal surface mucosa epithelium and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression (PCNA) immunoreactivity. The pointed apex of the elongated tongue covered rostrally and laterally with numerous caudally directed scales-like papillae. The dorsal surface of the apex and body was covered with numerous caudally directed scales-like filiform papillae. The U-shaped transverse papillary crest carried caudally directed pointed triangular conical papillae with two giant papillae. The elevated caudal area of the lingual body contains little numbers of the opening of the lingual gland. The laryngeal mound is divided into two symmetrical halves by rostral fissure and caudal laryngeal fissure into the right and left half. There were four palatine ridges: two lateral, middle, and median ridges. The choanal field bounded by the two lateral palatine ridges and containing the median choanae. The rostral part of the palatine cleft bounded laterally by a line of the small caudally directed conical papillae, while the caudal part was free from these papillae. There was a little number of taste buds in the palate. The high magnification of the rostral part of the beak is covered with directed rods-like projections. In conclusion, the obtained results described the adaptations of the tongue and its belonged structures with the feeding demand of the rock-pigeon.

Alleviation of diabetes-induced hepatotoxicity by date palm hydroalcoholic extract in rat model; a biochemical, immunohistochemical and stereological study / Alivio de la hepatotoxicidad inducida por diabetes mediante el extracto hidroalcohólico de palmera datilera en modelo de rata: un estudio bioquímico, inmunohistoquímico y estereológico

SUMMARY: The present study was aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of date palm hydroalcoholic extract (DP)in diabetic rats using biochemical and histopathological approaches. Diabetes was induced by administration of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. In this analysis 32 adult rats were randomly divided into four groups; group 1: non-diabetic control whic received 0.1 mL normal saline, group 2:served as non-diabetic control which treated with 270 mg/kg of DP, group 3: served as untreated diabetic, and group 4: diabetic rats treated with 270 mg/kg of DP. Diabetic rats treated with the DP extracts exhibited lower hepatic oxidative stress and lower hepatic enzymes level. Extract treatment decreased the level of malondealdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Stereological estimations revealed a significant increase in the liver volume in diabetic rats which was reduced in DP-treated rats. Immunofluorescence staining showed high synthesis of acrolein as a byproduct of lipid proxidation. While, optical density measurement revealed significant decrease in acrolein after DP administration. Histopathological examination showed severe changes in untreated diabetic liver tissue manifested by dilated portal vein, leukocytic infiltration, fatty degeneration and necrotic nuclei, whereas, DP treatment attenuated the adverse effects of diabetes on the liver represented by relatively healthy hepatocytes and sinusoids. The obtained results indicated that date pam extract was beneficial in the prevention of diabetes-induced hepatotoxicity due to its natural antioxidant constituents. Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed for considering this plant in management of prediabetes and diabetes hepatic complications.

RESUMEN: El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los efectos hepatoprotectores del extracto hidroalcohólico (DP) de la palmera datilera en ratas diabéticas utilizando enfoques bioquímicos e histopatológicos. La diabetes fue inducida mediante la administración de 60 mg / kg de estreptozotocina por vía intraperitoneal. Se dividieron al azar 32 ratas adultas en cuatro grupos; grupo 1: control no diabético que recibió 0,1 mL de solución salina normal, grupo 2: control no diabético tratado con 270 mg / kg de DP, grupo 3: fue separado como diabético no tratado, y grupo 4: ratas diabéticas tratadas con 270 mg / kg de DP mg / kg de DP. Las ratas diabéticas tratadas con los extractos de DP mostraron menor estrés oxidativo hepático y menor nivel de enzimas hepáticas. El tratamiento con extracto disminuyó el nivel de malondealdehído (MDA) como marcador de la proxidación de lípidos. Las estimaciones estereológicas revelaron un aumento significativo en el volumen del hígado en ratas diabéticas que se redujo en las ratas tratadas con DP. La tinción por inmunofluorescencia mostró una alta síntesis de acroleína como subproducto de la proxidación de lípidos. Mientras que, la medición de la densidad óptica reveló una disminución significativa de la acroleína después de la administración de DP. El examen histopatológico mostró cambios significativos en el tejido hepático diabético no tratado manifestados por vena porta dilatada, infiltración leucocítica, degeneración grasa y núcleos necróticos, mientras que el tratamiento con DP atenuó los efectos adversos de la diabetes en el hígado representados por hepatocitos y sinusoides relativamente sanos. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que el extracto de palmera datilera fue beneficioso en la prevención de la hepatotoxicidad inducida por diabetes debido a sus constituyentes antioxidantes naturales. Se necesitan más estudios clínicos para considerar esta planta en el manejo de la prediabetes y las complicaciones hepáticas de la diabetes.

Salidroside induces cell apoptosis and inhibits the invasiveness of HT29 colorectal cells by regulating protein kinase R, NF-κB and STAT3.

BACKGROUND: Protein kinase R (PKR) can suppress various types of solid tumors by inducing cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis. Likewise, Slaidorside, a plant flavonoid, was shown to have anti-tumorigenesis in many solid tumors. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated anti-tumorigenesis of Salidroside in HT29 colorectal cancer and investigated if the underlying mechanism involves activation of PKR. METHODS: Control or PKR deficient cells were cultured in DMEM media treated with 100 µM Salidroside and cell survival, apoptosis, and other biochemical-related markers were evaluated. RESULTS: Salidroside significantly reduced cell survival and proliferation and increased the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and levels of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). It also increased the protein levels of caspases 3 and 8. Concomitantly, Salidroside increased the protein level and activity of PKR and increased the expression of its downstream targets, p-eIF2α (Ser51), p53 MAPK, and p53. On the contrary, it inhibited the nuclear activation of STAT-3 and NF-κB p65. In PKR deficient cells, the partial effects of Salidroside on cell survival, proliferation, and apoptotic markers were observed coincided with no effects on the expression of eIF-2α, and JNK, p53, p38 MAPK, and caspase 8 but with a significant decrease in the nuclear activities of STAT3 and NF-κB. CONCLUSION: Salidroside suppresses the tumorigenesis of HT29 CRC by increasing activation of eIF-2α and JNK and upregulation of p53, p38 MAPK, and caspase-8 through upregulating and activation of PKR. However, the tumor suppressor effect of Salidroside requires also inhibition of STAT3 and NF-κB in a PKR-independent mechanism.

Berberine chloride ameliorated PI3K/Akt-p/SIRT-1/PTEN signaling pathway in insulin resistance syndrome induced in rats.

The liver is the main organ involved in lipid metabolism process and it helps in drug detoxification. Insulin resistance is considered one of risk reasons which lead to several metabolic diseases. Currently, berberine (BER) occupies a huge challenge against multiple diseases with no toxic effect. The present work was aimed to identify, does BER-chloride has a poisonous influence on the liver? and investigating the outcome of BER-chloride on PI3K/Akt-p/SIRT-1/PTEN pathway during insulin resistance syndrome. The insulin resistance model was achieved in experimental female rats via high-fat diet (HFD). Glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, and hepatic oxidative stress parameters were assessed. PI3K, AKt-p, SIRT-1, and PTEN levels in hepatic tissue were determined at genome and protein levels. Further adiponectin concentration was performed in serum, hepatic, and white adipose tissues. Molecular study of fold alteration in insulin, insulin receptor, and retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4) in liver was done. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Obesity syndrome causes multiple obstacles in modern years. The current results revealed elevation the body weight of rats, plasma glucose, homeostatic model assessment, glycated hemoglobin, insulin, and lipid profiles concentrations in a group of rats, which nourished HFD for 8 weeks and this rise, was diminished after 2 weeks from BER-chloride administration. Further, BER-chloride improved transaminases enzymes, pro-oxidant, and antioxidant defense system, PI3K, AKt-p, SIRT-1, and PTEN in the liver, with downregulation of hepatic RBP4. Hence, these data provide a crucial message that BER-chloride enhanced both hepatic function and insulin signaling pathways that might be of therapeutic importance to insulin resistance with no harmful effect on the liver. BER-chloride is predicted to be a drug of choice for obesity complications cure.