Histological and immunohistochemical effects of Curcuma longa on activation of rat hepatic stellate cells after cadmium induced hepatotoxicity.

The liver is a target for toxic chemicals such as cadmium (Cd). When the liver is damaged, hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated and transformed into myofibroblast-like cells, which are responsible for liver fibrosis. Curcuma longa has been reported to exert a hepato-protective effect under various pathological conditions. We investigated the effects of C. longa administration on HSC activation in response to Cd induced hepatotoxicity. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into: group 1 (control), group 2 (Cd treated), group 3 (C. longa treated) and group 4 (Cd and C. longa treated). After 6 weeks, liver specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopy examination of histological changes and immunohistochemical localization of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) as a specific marker for activated HSC. Activated HSC with a positive αSMA immune reaction were not detected in groups 1 and 3. Large numbers of activated HSC with αSMA immune reactions were observed in group 2 in addition to Cd induced hepatotoxic changes including excess collagen deposition in thickened portal triads, interlobular septa with hepatic lobulation, inflammatory cell infiltration, a significant increase in Kupffer cells and degenerated hepatocytes. In group 4, we observed a significant decrease in HSC that expressed αSMA with amelioration of the hepatotoxic changes. C. longa administration decreased HSC activation and ameliorated hepatotoxic changes caused by Cd in adult rats.

Prenatal development of the human Brunner's glands.

The prenatal development of the human Brunner's glands has been investigated in 23 fetuses from the 10th week of gestation to full-term. At 12 weeks, a few cords of epithelial cells were seen budding from the duodenal mucosa immediately beyond the pyloric sphincter. They represent the initial stage of the development of Brunner's glands. At 16 weeks, Brunner's glands originated as simple tubular downgrowths from the bottoms of the most proximal crypts of the duodenum. The secretory products of the component cells of these primitive tubules contained periodic acid schiff (PAS) positive material which was largely supranuclear in position and resisted digestion by diastase. From 20 weeks to full term, the Brunner's glands developed in a progressive fashion starting in the proximal part of the duodenum near the pyloroduodenal junction. Further tubular downgrowths were added distally, leading to an increase in length of the glandular tissue. The gland showed an increase in size proximally due to elongation and branching of the tubules. At birth, the glandular cells of Brunner's glands resembled those of normal adult in structure and staining reactions. The PAS staining of the cells of the early developed glands (at 12 weeks) was as intense as those of the full-term. The secretory materials of the developed Brunner's glands showed negative reaction with Alcian blue (AB) at pH 2.5 at any stage of development. These results suggest that the mucin secreted by the developed Brunner's glands of human is neutral mucopolysaccharide in nature.

Fluorescence histochemical study of the localisation and distribution of beta-adrenergic receptor sites in the spinal cord and cerebellum of the chicken.

The distribution of beta-adrenergic receptor sites has been studied in chicken spinal cord and cerebellum using a fluorescent analogue of propranolol, 9-amino-acridin-propranolol (9-AAP). In the cervical and lumbar regions of the spinal cord, beta-adrenoceptor sites were concentrated on cell bodies of alpha-motor neurons of the dorsolateral and ventrolateral nuclear groups of the ventral horn. In the thoracic region, they were present on cell bodies of the preganglionic sympathetic nucleus (dorsal commissural nucleus). In the dorsal horn, the receptor sites were present mainly on cell bodies of columna dorsalis magnocellularis. Sparse distribution of fluorescence was present in other regions of the gray matter. In the cerebellum, a dense distribution of beta-adrenergic receptor sites was observed on Purkinje cell bodies and their apical dendrites. Sparse distribution of receptor sites was present on fine ramifications of Purkinje cell dendrites in the molecular layer. Receptor sites were absent in the granule cell layer and the white matter. These observations indicate that alpha-motor neurons, preganglionic sympathetic neurons, neurons of columna dorsalis magnocellularis, and Purkinje cells are adrenoceptive, while granule cells are non-adrenoceptive.

Prenatal development of the human submandibular gland.

The prenatal development of the human submandibular gland has been investigated in 26 fetuses from the 10th week of gestation to full term. At 10-12 weeks, the glandular elements (primitive ducts and acini) were immature and surrounded by a loose mesenchyme. The acinar cell population increased gradually till the age of 32 weeks, and the rate of increase was diminished thereafter. At 16 weeks, intercalated and striated ducts were distinguished and their number increased till the age of 32 weeks when their number seemed to be stabilized. The development of the granular convoluted tubule cells from the proximal segments of striated ducts occupied the later stages of development. They appeared around the age of 20 weeks and proceeded till full term. At birth, the gland appeared devoid of mucous acini and fat cells and the secretory end-pieces were of the serous type. During the second trimester, periodic acid-Schiff- and alcian blue-positive secretory materials appeared in the epithelial cells of both ducts and acini, and in their lumina. This secretory activity was transitory and disappeared around the age of 28 weeks. The possible function of these secretory products is discussed.

5'-nucleotidase activity in myeloma cells.

Plasma cells were studied cytochemically for 5'-nucleotidase (5'-N) activity in bone marrow smears from 11 patients with multiple myeloma and 12 cases with no haematological disorders but with adequate numbers of plasma cells. The activity of 5'-N could be demonstrated in about 90% of myelomatous plasma cells. The non-myelomatous plasma cells of control smears were negative for 5'-N activity. The activity of 5'-N did not seem to be affected by storage of unfixed smears for up to 5 months at room temperature.