Morphological studies in modern teratological investigations.

Despite the variety of modern molecular techniques available, examination of foetal anatomy is still a fundamental part of teratological studies in evaluating the developmental toxicity of xenobiotics or other non-chemical factors. The article presents contemporary methods of embryotoxicity and foetotoxicity assessment. A single alizarin red S and double alcian blue followed by alizarin red S staining, as well as various methods of soft tissue examination are discussed.

Histomorphology of renal proximal convoluted tubules of kidney of experimental animals after Cladribine (2-CdA) administration.

The proximal convoluted tubules of the kidney of the white Wistar rats were examined. The animals were given Cladribine (2-CdA) sub-cutaneously at the dose: 0.07 mg/kg b.w./24 h for 7 days and 0.1 mg/kg b.w./24 h for 6 days in 3 courses, with 5 weeks' break between each. The animals were killed in each instance 24 hours after the last dose of the drug, and 4 weeks after the last dose. The kidney's samples were taken for histological and histochemical examination and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, using the Masson's, the PAS's, and the Feulgen's method. In experimental group I, we observed few changes (in comparison to the control group): cells of the epithelium of some of the proximal convoluted tubules were however, puffy. In a few tubules we observed some unknown substance and the lumen of some of these tubules was narrowed. In experimental group II, a few proximal convoluted tubules and their lumen were wider with an unknown substance within. We also observed hydropic degeneration. The brush border of these tubules was a little lower than in control group. In experimental group III, the cells of the epithelium of proximal convoluted tubules rested on a thicker basement membrane, the lumen of most of the proximal convoluted tubules being narrow and filled with some unknown substance. In experimental group IV, the lumen of the tubules was a little wider, and the epithelial cells were smaller than in the control group, thus the lumen of the tubules was wider. In the cytoplasm of epithelial cells we observed numerous PAS(+) granules. The low brush border appeared damaged.

Histological examination of the kidney after experimental administration of MK-801 and dexamethasone.

The aim of the research was histological assessment of the influence of MK-801 (NMDA receptor antagonist) and dexamethasone on the kidney. The experiment was carried out on adult Albino-Swiss mouse males. MK-801 was administered in the dose of 0.3 mg/kg/24 h for 8 days, dexamethasone--in the toxic dose of 120 mg/kg/24 h. Kidney slices stained with hematoxylin and eosin and with PAS method were examined with light microscope. The performed experiments revealed that MK-801 causes morphological changes in the shape of slight narrowing of the urinary spaces in renal corpuscles and narrowing of the lumen of the proximal convoluted tubules and dexamethasone administered in toxic doses causes dilatation of these spaces with kidney's hyperemia. MK-801 intensifies morphological changes of the kidney induced by toxic doses of dexamethasone.

Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins (HDL) levels in rabbit during the course of experimental diabetes.

The study was conducted on 56 rabbits, of White New Zealand breed, male gender. The average weight of the rabbits was 3 kg. The diabetes was evoked by intravenous injection of 10% alloxan, using the single dose of 100 mg/kg. On the 7th day after administration of alloxan, serum glucose levels were determined. The serum glucose level higher than 11.1 mmol/l was considered an indicator of the presence of diabetes. All the animals included in the study were divided into five groups: the control, 21-day diabetes, 42-day diabetes, 90-day diabetes and 180-day diabetes. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and high density lipoproteins levels were determined with enzymatic methods. Our studies revealed a significant increase in cholesterol and triglycerides levels. That mechanism might be responsible for faster development of atheromatosis during the course of diabetes mellitus.

Axillary lymph node and early breast cancer diagnostics. A case report.

Understanding of the anatomy of the axillary lymph nodes is important in diagnostic and treatment procedures for breast cancer. An interesting case is presented here of breast cancer without a breast tumour. The first symptom of the disease was lymphadenopathy of the axillary region. This kind of case is extremely rare in clinical practise (one case per 1-5 years) and constitutes a great problem for specialists, since in many cases the primary neoplasm source is unknown. The anatomical and clinical implications of such a situation are discussed.

Changes in antioxidant status of heart muscle tissue in experimental diabetes in rabbits.

The present study was designed to evaluate the oxidative stress-related parameters in alloxan-induced diabetes in rabbits. After 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks of hyperglycaemia the enzymatic and non-enzymatic factors were measured in heart tissue of diabetic and control groups. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and the contents of total sulfhydryl compounds significantly increased at all time intervals. Catalase activity increased initially (after 3 and 6 weeks), decreased after 12 weeks and increased again at the 24th week of the experiment. Glutathione reductase activity increased initially (at 3rd week), decreased below control level after 6 and 12 weeks, then increased again. Ascorbic acid concentration decreased after 3 and 6 weeks, and increased at the 12th and 24th weeks. The level of lipid peroxidation products was reduced after 3, 6 and 12 weeks of the experiment. After 24 weeks it was significantly elevated. These data suggest that hyperglycaemia induces oxidative stress in the heart but the defense mechanisms in the heart tissue are fairly efficacious against oxidative injury.

Changes in antioxidant status of lung tissue in experimental diabetes in rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: Hyperglycaemia can result in oxidative stress which may affected as cellular tissue damage. DESIGN AND METHODS: After 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks of hyperglycaemia oxidative stress related parameters were measured in lung tissue of diabetic and control rabbits. RESULTS: Decreased activities of antioxidative compounds and intensification of lipid peroxidation process were found in diabetic lung. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained suggest that hyperglycaemia induces oxidative stress in lung tissue which may play an important role in pathogenesis of diabetic complications.

Hepatic lysosomal enzymes activity and liver morphology after short-time omeprazole administration.

The aim of the study was to establish the influence of short-time omeprazole administration on liver function and morphology. Omeprazole was administered intraperitoneally, twice daily, for 3 days to male Wistar rats in two doses: 0.571 mg/kg and 5.71 mg/kg. Control animals were treated with physiological saline. Half of the animals were sacrificed 12 hours after the last injection. The remaining rats were raised for another 6 weeks, without any xenobiotics, and sacrificed on the 47th day of the experiment. The activity of free and bound fractions of hepatic acid phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase, cathepsin B, D and L, lipase, and sulphatase were determined spectrophotometrically in homogenates of the liver. The liver sections were examined by light microscopy with hematoxylin-eosin, azan, and periodic acid-Schiff stains. Marginally significant (p < 0.1) differences in activity of free sulphatase fraction, and free and bound fractions of beta-galactosidase were found in animals exposed to the higher dose of omeprazole and sacrificed 12 hours after the last injection. Enzymatic profiles were normalised during the next 6 weeks. Histological evaluation revealed small degenerative and adaptive changes in all examined groups. It could be concluded that observed differences of hepatic lysosomal enzyme activities were the result of accompanied chemical-induced peritonitis as previously reported, and not a direct drug-toxic effect.