A histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical study of the effects of pomegranate peel extracts on gibberellic acid induced oxidative stress in adult rat testes.

Gibberellins are commonly used plant growth regulators that exhibit deleterious effects on various animal tissues. We investigated the histological, immunohistochemical and biochemical effects of gibberellic acid (GA3) on rat testes as well as the possible protective role of pomegranate peel extract (PPE). We used 28 adult male rats divided into control, PPE treated, GS3 treated and GA3 + PPE treated groups. Testis specimens were analyzed for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, and examined histologically. We also investigated the androgen receptor using immunohistochemistry. The GA3 treated group exhibited significantly decreased SOD and CAT levels and area percent of androgen receptor. Seminiferous tubules (ST) were widely separated and the germinal epithelium was separated from the basement membrane in some tubules. Areas of vacuolation, degenerated germ cells with pyknotic nuclei and large multinucleated cells were observed. Ultrastructurally, primary spermatocytes exhibited vacuolated cytoplasm, degenerated mitochondria and hyperchromatic nuclei. Degenerated early spermatids with a ruptured or hyperchromatic nucleus were found. Spermatozoa exhibited abnormalities of the head and tail. The cytoplasm of Sertoli and Leydig cells exhibited dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum. A significant improvement of the biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical alterations was observed in the GA3 + PPE treated group compared to the GA3 treated group.

The role of mast cells and macrophages in amiodarone induced pulmonary fibrosis and the possible attenuating role of atorvastatin.

Amiodarone (AM) is an effective anti-arrhythmic drug. We investigated the role of mast cells and macrophages on AM induced pulmonary fibrosis and the action of atorvastatin on this fibrosis. Rats were allocated into four groups; negative control (1), positive control (2), 30 mg/kg body weight/day AM (3) and AM + 10 mg/kg/day atorvastatin (4). Lungs were harvested and prepared for histology and immunohistochemistry. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections of group 3 exhibited disorganized lung architecture. We found cellular debris in the lumen of both intrapulmonary bronchi and bronchioles with partial disruption of the thickened epithelial lining and mononuclear cellular infiltration into the lamina propria. We also observed thickening of the epithelial lining and the smooth muscle layer. Congested, dilated and thickened blood capillaries and thickened inter-alveolar septa were observed with mononuclear cellular infiltrates in the lung of group 3. Most alveoli were collapsed, but some dilated ones were detected. In some alveoli, type ІІ pneumocytes were increased, while type I cells were decreased. We observed significant increases in the amount of collagen in the thickened inter-alveolar septa, around bronchioles and around blood capillaries in sections from group 3. We found a significant increase in mast cells and alveolar macrophages in group 3 compared to group 1. Mast cells and macrophages appear to play important roles in AM induced pulmonary fibrosis. Atorvastatin appears to attenuate this condition.

The efficiency of utilization of potential donors for organ transplantation in Saudi Arabia: a pilot study.

Organ shortage has been the main obstacle in the progress of organ transplantation in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the percentage of potential donors among all deaths in Riyadh hospital intensive care units (ICUs). Mortality data were collected by a medical professional in each ICU and analyzed on weekly basis for 1 year (June 2001 through May 2002): The final analysis at the end of the year showed the number of brain death cases in all hospitals to be 114 out of 542 deaths. Fifty-four percent occurred in one hospital. Thirty-eight cases were reported to the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation (33%). Documentation was completed in only 23 cases (60%). Only four cases became actual donors. In conclusion, there is underreporting of brain death cases. Dealing with the reported cases is inefficient since only four cases became actual donors out of 38. Improving the efficiency of ICUs in dealing with brain death cases (reporting, documentation, maintenance and consent) will require solving several problems at the medical, administrative, religious, and mass media levels.

Life-threatening cervical necrotizing fasciitis.

Eight cases of cervical necrotizing fasciitis are presented. Three were odontogenic, two were pharyngeal in origin and three were primary or idiopathic. Soft tissue gas was recognized in four patients. The bacteriology showed streptococci on the top of the list (50%), while for the idiopathic cases, it was monomicrobial and caused by staphylococci. Third generation cephalosporin and metronidazole represent good initial empirical antibacterial coverage. Histopathologically, all cases showed extensive necrosis of the debrided fascia and vascular thrombosis of the dermal vessels. The mortality rate was 3/8 (37.5%). Early diagnosis of cervical necrotizing fasciitis and initiation of definitive therapy in an intensive care environment is essential to minimize mortality. It is also important to recognize that this devastating infection may occur spontaneously, and it should be suspected in patients with unexplained soft tissue pain and tenderness.