Effects of 50 Hz extremely low frequency sinusoidal magnetic fields on the apoptosis of the hearts of preincubated chicken embryos at different levels of developments.

PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to demonstrate the effects of 50 Hz sinusoidal extremely low frequency of magnetic fields (ELF-MF) on preincubated chicken embryo hearts at histopathological, biochemical, and ultrastructural levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety healthy fertilized eggs were divided into six groups of control, sham and four (1-4) experimental groups exposed to 1.33, 2.66, 5.52, and 7.32 mT flux intensities. Sham groups were placed inside the coil with no exposure for 24 h, while the eggs of experimental groups were exposed to four different intensities inside the coil for 24 h before incubation. Then, all were incubated in an incubator (37 ± 0.5°C and 60% humidity) for 14 days. RESULTS: Evidence proved that ELF-MF create damaged myocytes in experimental group 1; condensed dark nuclei, an increase in the number of apoptotic cells in addition to increased intracellular spaces in experimental group 2; light inflammation and myocyte necrosis in experimental groups 3 and 4; an increase in the number of nuclear membranes' pores, small round unclear cristae mitochondria, and a decrease in the number of mitochondria in the myocytes of experimental group 4; and also an increase in alkaline phosphatase activities in the experimental groups. CONCLUSION: The effects of ELF-MF on the preincubated chicken embryos' hearts show the necessity for conservation plans for prevention from possible harm.

Congenital abnormality effect of methamphetamine on histological, cellular and chromosomal defects in fetal mice.

BACKGROUND: Methamphetamine (MA) is a potent psychomotor stimulant with high abuse and addictive potential. MA is a neurotoxic drug which is widely abused by females of childbearing age, raising serious public health concerns in terms of exposure of the fetus to the drug. Neurotoxic effects of MA on adult are well known, such as dopaminergic nerve terminal degeneration and cell death in regions of brain in some doses. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we examined effect of prenatal MA exposure on mouse fetuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, forty 8-12 week-old NMRI female mice were used which were mated with male mice in serial days. When sperm plug was observed it was designated as gestational day (GD) 0. Pregnant mice were individually housed in plastic cages. Pregnant mice were divided into four groups: in first group 10 mg/kg /day MA, in second group 5 mg/kg /day MA and in third group saline were injected subcutaneously from GD 6 to GD 14, corresponding to organogenesis period, while fourth or control group were without injection. On GD 14 fetuses were removed and accomplished chromosome preparation from fetal liver. Then fetal were fixed in formalin for brain hematoxilin and eosine staining and TUNEL assay. RESULTS: We observed morphological abnormality including exencephal fetus in 5mg/kg MA group and premature fetuses in 10 mg/kg MA group. Also brain histological study showed subarachnoid hemorrhage in fetal brain in both experimental groups. Fetal liver karyotyping analysis was normal in fetuses of all groups and TUNEL assay in fetal striatum did not show significant difference in number of apoptotic cells between groups. CONCLUSION: From our results, it could be concluded that chronic abuse of MA by pregnant females during organogenesis period can cause teratogenic effect and brain hemorrage in fetus.

Effects of quinazolinones on Balb/C mice embryonic livers.

Heterocyclic compounds such as quinazolinones have variety of biological and pharmacological properties (anticancer, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antimalaria, etc.). Effects of two new quinazolinones viz., 4(3H)-quinazolinone-2-propyl-2-phenylethyl (QPPE) and 4(3H)quinazolinone-2-ethyl-2-phenylethyl (QEPE) were investigated on Balb/C mice embryos livers-the major organ of metabolism and detoxification of drugs and toxins. Histological and pathological studies demonstrated QPPE and QEPE as producers of toxic metabolites after biotransformation, creating necrosis, fatty changes, increase in the number of band cells, hepatocytes' diameters and alkaline phosphatase, in addition to sinusoid dilation, hemorrhages and hyperemia. Transmission electron micrographs showed lipid droplets in hepatocytes' cytoplasm, necrosis, vacuolization, cytoplasm disintegration, disfigured and swollen mitochondria, irregular and abnormal nuclei, nuclei with heterochromatin, condensed chromatins, myelin figures and autophages in injured hepatocytes. In conclusion, QPPE and QEPE make toxic components after biotransformation injuring membranes and creating inflammatory reactions. They also disturb metabolism of lipids pathways and cause the appearances of lipid droplets in hepatocytes.