Histology and histochemistry of the major salivary glands in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor).

This study aimed to investigate the major salivary glands in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) histologically and histochemically. Five adult males were included in this study. The results showed that anatomically the shape of the parotid, submandibular and sublingual glands of the Erinaceus concolor was respectively almost pear, elliptical to pyramidal and oval. Histologically, the parotid gland had serous acini and secretory cells showed negative reaction to alcian blue (AB) (pH = 2.5) and negative response to aldehyde fuchsin (AF), methylene blue (MB) and PAS stains. The submandibular gland was a mixed gland of mucous and serous acini. The mucous acini were strongly positive for PAS, AB, MB and AF. However, serous acini were week for PAS and negative against AB, MB and AF stains. The sublingual gland was purely composed of mucous acini. The mucous acini of the sublingual gland were strongly positives for PAS, AB and MB methods. While their reaction to the AF staining was negative. In conclusion, the histological and histochemical observations of the major salivary glands of the southern white-breasted hedgehog (E. concolor) indicated that these glands shown similarities and some special different histochemical features as compared to other mammalian species.

A novel therapeutic combination of dapagliflozin, Lactobacillus and crocin attenuates diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats: Role of oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and PPARγ activation.

AIMS: Diabetic cardiomyopathy is diagnosed by the development of abnormality in the structure and performance of myocardium in diabetic mellitus (DM) patients. Recent studies reported the association between altered gut microbiota and metabolic disorders like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Here, we aimed to investigate the gut-heart axis in an experimental animal model where we developed a novel therapeutic combination of dapagliflozin, crocin prebiotic and Lactobacilli probiotic to correct induced diabetic cardiomyopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes mellitus was induced by Intraperitoneal (i.p) streptozotocin in male rats. The experimental design includes the administration of the tested drugs (Crocin, Dapagliflozin) solely and with Lactobacillus, or in combination therapy with and without Lactobacillus to the diabetic rats for six weeks. Clinical and microscopic evaluation scoring for cardiac tissues were determined. Biochemical markers including blood glucose level, adiponectin, resistin, cardiac injury markers, lipid profile, antioxidant enzymes, pro and anti-inflammatory markers were assessed. In addition, quantitative relative expression of PPARγ and TXINP genes and capsase-3 levels were measured. The change in the microbiota abundance was investigated using real-time PCR. KEY FINDINGS: This study demonstrated the synergistic effect of the triple combination; dapagliflozin, crocin prebiotic, and Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii probiotic in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy in rats. The triple combination significantly reduced the oxidative, inflammatory, apoptotic activities induced by streptozotocin STZ and helped in restoring the symbiotic gut microbiota. SIGNIFICANCE: It is worthy to perform this study in clinical trials as a primary step to include crocin and Lactobacilli in the therapeutic protocols of diabetic cardiomyopathy.