Levels of plasma sodium and potassium as well as alterations in adrenal cortex of Rattus norvegicus in response to sublethal heroin administration.

In order to record the effects of sublethal heroin administration on plasma mineral metabolism, the drug was administered intramuscularly (16.4 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1); 0.75 LD50 dose) in Rattus norvegicus for 30 days. Plasma sodium and potassium levels of the control rats fluctuated between 153.14 +/- 2.88 - 157.23 +/- 2.16 meq l(-1) and 5.04 +/- 0.32 - 5.63 +/- 0.41 meq l(-1), respectively. Plasma sodium level of the treated rats registered a progressive decline (p<0.01) at 24 hr with the minimum value (126.53 +/- 2.68 meq l(-1)) on day 30 whereas plasma potassium level registered a progressive increase during entire period of the treatment with peak (8.78 +/- 0.23 meq l(-1)) on day 30. Though sublethal herion administration for 30 days elcited cytoplasmic vacuolation in all the three zones of adrenal cortex, much of cytological alterations were observed in zona glomerulosa and zona fasciculata cells. In zona glomerulosa cells, degenerative changes in the organelles were more pronounced as evident by the loss of typical cristae in the mitochondria and hormone granules were rarely seen in these cells. Though rough endoplasmic reticula were scanty, many lipid granules encountered in zona glomerulosa cells of the treated rats.

Effects of sub-lethal heroin administration on thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and thyroid gland of Mus norvegicus.

Serum TSH level of control Mus norvegicus fluctuated between 498.20 +/- 21.92 and 506.80 +/- 22.35 ng ml(-1), thyroxine (T4) between 68.17 +/- 3.46 and 69.03 +/- 4.12 microg dl(-1) and triiodothyronine (T3) between 4.76 +/- 0.52 and 5.00 +/- 0.66 microg dl(-1). Sub-lethal heroin administration induced a significant decline in the levels of all the three hormones at 24 hr and 15 days post-administration. Decline in the levels of these hormones registered the lowest values (p<0.001) by day 30 of the treatment. Thyroid gland of control rat consisted of spherical, round follicles lined with low cuboidal and columnar epithelial cells and lumina filled with eosinophilic colloid. Ultrastructurally, the thyroid follicular cells showed the presence of round nuclei, polymorphic mitochondria, Golgi complex as well as lysosomes located on the apical side of the nucleus and cytoplasm with different sizes of lipid droplets and smooth along with rough endoplasmic reticulum. Basal lamina of the follicular cells was often in association with the endothelium of the capillaries. Sub-lethal heroin administration for 30 days elicited degenerative changes in the follicular epithelial cells as evident by the vacuolization of cytoplasm, pycnotic nuclei and reduced colloidal content. Ultrastructurally, the thyroid follicular cells showed indented nuclei with heavy deposition of chromatin material on the inner membrane of nucleus and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. Along with RBC infiltration, vesiculated mitochondria owing to the loss of cristae were also seen. Diffused electron-dense material was seen at the periphery of the cell body. Heroin treatment caused cellular necrosis as revealed by the fragmentation of cytoplasmic materials in follicular epithelial cells of the gland.

Responses of parathyroid gland, C cells, and plasma calcium and inorganic phosphate levels in rat to sub-lethal heroin administration.

In order to record the effects of heroin on plasma calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) levels as well as parathyroid gland and C cells, two sub-lethal doses (0.50 LD50 and 0.75 LD50) of the drug were administered intramuscularly in Rattus norvegicus for 30 days. Plasma Ca level of control rats ranged between 9.53 +/- 0.32 - 9.88 +/- 0.22 mg 100 ml(-1) while plasma Pi concentration fluctuated between 4.55 +/- 0.18 - 4.71 +/- 0.24 mg 100 ml(-1). Sub-lethal heroin administration induced progressive increase in plasma Ca level during the first seven days (p < 0.001), thereafter the level declined on day 15 and 30. However plasma Pi level of the heroin-treated rats registered increase with the peak value (p < 0.001) on day 30. The treatment elicited degenerative changes in parathyroid gland as evident by cytoplamic vacuolization, presence of more pycnotic nuclei and occurrence of patchy areas among the chief cells. Degenerative changes were also noticed in cristae of mitochondria, Golgi complex and endoplasmic reticulum. There was decrease in chromatin material in the nucleus and loss of hormone granules in the cytoplasm. Oxyphil cells of the heroin-treated rat depicted dilation of endoplasmic reticulum and damaged cristae. Sub-lethal heroin administration in the rat for 30 days induced dilation in endoplasmic reticulum and loss of secretory granules in C cells.

Responses of serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels as well as parathyroid gland and calcitonin producing C cells of Rattus norvegicus to Mipcin administration.

Serum calcium (Ca) level of Rattus norvegicus ranged between 13.08 +/- 0.41 - 13.25 +/- 0.39 mg/100 ml whereas serum inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration varied between 4.21 +/- 0.28 - 4.33 +/- 0.26 mg/100 ml. Sublethal (0.50 LD50 and 0.75 LD50) administration of Mipcin induced a progressive dose-dependent decline in serum Ca level in the rat which was statistically significant at 7 and 14 days. Serum inorganic phosphate level of the treated rats did not exhibit significant fluctuation during the entire course of investigation. Parathyroid chief cells of the experimental rats exhibited degranulation, vacuolation, loss of secretory (hormone) granules and lipid droplets, decreased chromatin in nuclei and damages in the endoplasmic reticulum as well as cristae of mitochondria at 14 days of the treatment. Not much of changes could be seen in the oxyphil cells of parathyroid as well as thyroid C cells of the Mipcin-treated rats.

Seasonal changes in plasma calcium and inorganic phosphate levels in relation to parathyroid structure of the grey quail, Coturnix coturnix coturnix Linnaeus.

Plasma Ca concentration (annual mean) in males Coturnix cotumix coturnix was 10.27 +/- 0.14 mg/100 ml while it was slightly higher (11.85 +/- 0.15 mg/100 ml) among females. Plasma Pi levels (annual mean) in males and females were 5.62 +/- 0.12 mg/100 ml and 6.52 +/- 0.20 mg/100 ml, respectively. While the males did not exhibit marked fluctuation in plasma Ca and Pi levels either in winter or summer, the females did record significant elevation in the levels of both these electrolytes during breeding season. The peak values of plasma Ca (17.66 +/- 0.38 mg/100 ml) and Pi (8.64 +/- 0.22 mg/100 ml) in females were observed during June. Parathyroid gland of the grey quail exhibited hyperactivity (hypertrophy and hyperplasia) during breeding season, however, the activity was more conspicuous among females than in males. The maximum increase in cell and nuclear diameters were observed in females during May-July. The follicles were also filled with AF- and PAS-positive materials during these months. The glands depicted signs of hypoactivity and degeneration during peak winter season (November-December) as evident by decrease in cell and nuclear diameters as well as vacuolation in the chief cells.

Responses of serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels, parathyroid gland and C cells of Rattus norvegicus to heptachlor administration.

Intramuscular administration of two doses: 0.50 LD50 (14.70 mg/kg b w) and 0.75 LD50 (22.30 mg/kg b w) of heptachlor in Rattus norvegicus for 14 days induced significant hypocalcemia without altering serum inorganic phosphate value. Parathyroid chief cells of the experimental rats exhibited degranulation, vacuolation, loss of secretory granules and lipid droplets, reduction in chromatin, and degenerative changes in endoplasmic reticulum and cristae of the mitochondria. Not much of histological and ultrastructural changes could be seen in C cells of the heptachlor treated rats.

Effect of Vinca rosea extracts in treatment of alloxan diabetes in male albino rats.

Administration of aqueous extracts of V. rosea flower and leaf have been found to regulate the blood sugar level in alloxan diabetic male albino rats. V. rosea therapy not only produced blood glucose homeostasis but also reversed changes in carbohydrate, protein, lipid metabolisms and metabolic and pathologic changes that took place in pancreatic islet cells, liver and kidney following a single dose (150 mg/kg body weight) of alloxan monohydrate. B-cell secretory activity resumed near-normalcy as evidenced by near-normal serum insulin concentration and electron-microscopic study proving that V. rosea manifests its beneficial activity through B-cell rejuvenation, regeneration and stimulation.

Effects of gamma irradiation on histomorphology of some endocrine glands of the rain quail, Coturnix coromandelica (Gmelin).

Effects of single, whole-body 60Co-gamma irradiation in different doses (250 rad to 15 k rad) on histology of thyroid, adrenal and pancreatic islets of the rain quail were studied. A low dose of 250 rad failed to evoke any change in histology of the glands studied. Doses of 500 rad and 1 k rad resulted in hypoactivity of thyroid but could not affect adrenal and pancreatic islets. Exposure to 1.5 k rad and higher doses caused hyperplasia and hypertrophy of thyroid and hypertrophy of adrenal gland. Thyroid was injured by heavy irradiation. Doses up to 3 k rad did not bring about any change in islet cells, however, higher doses resulted in degenerative changes in islet cells. alpha-islets were affected by 7 and 15 k rad but necrotic changes in beta-islets were observed only after exposure to 15 k rad. The results indicate that thyroid is the most sensitive and pancreatic islet, highly resistant to gamma radiation.

The histomorphology of pancreatic islets in the bandicoot, Bandicota bengalensis (Gray).

Histomorphology of pancreatic islets are first time reported in the Bandicoot, Bandicota bengalensis. Histological observations are made with conventional staining techniques on the pancreatic islets of Bandicota bengalensis. The endocrine tissues present all over the pancreatic mass through large number of islets are confined to spleenic region and exhibited various shaped from round, oval, oblong to irregular. Three main types of cells viz., A-1, A-2 and B cells are observed. The commonly used silver techniques failed in differentiation of A-1 and A-2 cells. However, A-1 cells were stained with toluidine blue, while A-2 cells with phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin. Beta cells are more in number and situated in the centre of the islet surrounded by peripheral alpha cells. Presence of a large number of B cells in an islet indicates the vital role in insulin in the blood sugar homeostasis of the bandicoot.

Evidence of hypocalcemic factor from corpuscles of Stannius of the teleost Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch).

The administration of acid extract of corpuscles of Stannius has no effect on the plasma calcium level, in the normal fish, whereas the same dose shows typical hypocalcemic response in hypercalcemic fish, H. fossilis. It is concluded that acid extract of corpuscles of Stannius is effective only in hypercalcemic condition.

Effect of experimental hypercalcemia on the ultimobranchial gland of the lizard with special reference to age.

Effect of induced hypercalcemia on the ultimobranchial gland of the young and adult lizard, Uromasix hardwickii was studied. Experimental hypercalcemia produced hyperactive changes in the ultimobranchial gland of the young animal. However, no measurable changes were observed in the ultimobranchial gland of adult lizard. It seems that ultiimobranchial gland of the lizard is active only in the young animals.

Seasonal variations in the parathyroid gland of the lizard, Uromastix hardwickii (Gray).

Morphology, histology and seasonal changes in the parathyroid gland of the lizard, Uromastix hardwickii are reported. The lizard possesses a pair of glands consisting of a single type of cells. Parathyroid gland undergoes well defined seasonal changes. During breeding season (Summer) gland showed hyperactivity, whereas in winter, when lizard is quiescent, parathyroid gland shows degenerative changes. Though parathyroid gland from both male and female exhibited hyperactive phase during summer, plasma calcium and phosphorus concentration of female only has increased during this period suggesting that the changes in the parathyroid gland are not due to the endogenous circulating calcium level.

Effect of induced hypercalcemia on ultimobranchial gland of the lizard, Calotes versicolor.

The ultimobranchial of the lizard Calotes consists of parenchymal patches and several follicles. After induced hypercalcemia, the gland became more active suggesting the hypocalcemic secretion from the gland.

Role of ultimobranchial body and corpuscle of Stannius in regulation of the plasma calcium and phosphorus levels in the teleost Heteropneustes fossilis.

Effects of NaF, CaCl2, NaCl and mammalian calcitonin on the histology of ultimo-branchial (UTB) and corpuscle of Stannius (CS) and plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus in the teleost Heteropneustes fossilis are recorded. Administration of NaF, NaCl, and mammalian calcitonin resulted in varying degree of hypolcalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia, whereas hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia developed during CaCl2 treatment. These treatments also produced various histological changes in UTB and CS. It is suggested that CS and UTB are involved in metabolisms of Ca and P, and in osmoregulation. Moreover, it is an important hypocalcaemic mechanism in this fish in combating hypercalcaemia.