Cardioprotective effect of grape polyphenol extract against doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity.

Doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent known to cause cardiotoxicity that is thought to be associated with oxidative stress. The aim of the current study is to investigate the role of grape polyphenols' antioxidant property as cardioprotective against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Adult Wistar rats weighing 200 ± 20 g were divided into 3 different groups: a doxorubicin group that received a single intraperitoneal administration of doxorubicin (8.0 mg/kg body weight), an experimental group that received doxorubicin and grape polyphenol concentrate (25 mg/kg) via intragastric route, and the third group was a negative control group that received water only. On day 8, blood samples and tissues were harvested for analyses. The results indicated that grape polyphenol concentrate was able to reduce the signs of cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin through the reduction of aspartate aminotransferase activation, increasing the plasma antioxidant levels and decreasing the level of free radicals. The results also showed that grape polyphenol concentrate was able to reverse doxorubicin-induced microscopic myocardial damage. The myocardial protective effect of grape polyphenol might likely be due to the increase in the level and activity of the antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. In conclusion, grape polyphenol concentrate displayed cardioprotective effect and was able to reverse doxorubicin-induced-cardiomyopathy in experimental rats.

High-intensity focused ultrasound ablation: a non-surgical approach to treat advanced and complicated liver alveococcosis.

Liver alveococcosis is a life-threatening parasitic disease with progressive growth and wide metastasis to neighboring tissues, lungs, and brain. The radical treatment option is surgery along with a few chemical therapies. However, the frequency of progression and recurrence, as well as postoperative complications and mortality, remains very high. The high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment system, a therapeutic application using ultrasound to deliver heat or agitation into the body, was initially designed to treat cancer. Advanced and complicated forms of liver alveococcosis usually require surgical treatment to provide partial ectomy of necrotized liver tissue along with alveococcal caverns and sanitation of the peritoneal cavity. In this article, we presented a case of successful HIFU ablation with transhepatic puncture and drainage in treatment of complicated and advanced liver alveococcosis to avoid wide surgical treatment.

Morphology of the Ovaries in Condition of Inhalation Intoxication with Dust-Saline Aerosols of the Aral Sea in Female White Rats.

BACKGROUND: After some clinical studies of the reproductive health of the female population of the Aral Sea region, we concluded that it is necessary to confirm by experiment the theory of the direct influence of dust-saline aerosols of the Aral Sea on the reproductive system of female individuals. AIM: The purpose of this work is to study the effect of dust-saline aerosols of the Aral Sea on the folliculogenesis process in rats at inhalation intoxication. METHODS: Inhalation in rats was carried out for 30 days for 4 hours a day for 5 days a week in special inoculating cylindrical chambers with the extra-chamber placement of animals in individual boxes and dynamic aerosol delivery. Morphological changes were assessed using electron microscopy. RESULTS: Ultrastructural changes in the ovaries of the experimental study group were characterised by the pathology of all structures of the cortical substance of the organ. The accumulation of lutein pigment, the utilisation of lipid inclusions and the destruction of the complete cell reflected the pathology of estrogen production-an important factor in the postovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account the proven effect of dust-saline aerosols on the production of estrogen, the violation of the postovulatory phase of the ovarian cycle, we trace the mechanism of folliculogenesis disturbance. This confirms the data of our previous studies on primary and secondary infertility in women living in the Aral Sea region and the necessity of creation and development of preventive measures for the inhabitants of the region.

Serous cutaneous glands in the South American horned frog Ceratophrys ornata (Leptodactylformes, Chthonobatrachia, Ceratophrydae): ultrastructural expression of poison biosynthesis and maturation.

Serous cutaneous glands are described in newly metamorphosed and juvenile specimens of the horned frog Ceratophrys ornata using light and transmission electron microscopy. We report patterns of biosynthesis and maturation of the specific product of the gland secretory unit. The syncytial, secretory compartment possesses a complex of endoplasmic reticulum (predominantly smooth endoplasmic reticulum after metamorphosis) and Golgi stacks. The serous product is weak in density and is contained in vesicles involved in repeating merging processes. During this maturation activity, secondary lysosomes are observed, which derive from autophagic processes (crinophagy) involving the secretory materials. Ceratophrys ornata, a species representative of the type genus of the family Ceratophrydae, belongs to the heterogeneous group of anurans that, possibly as the result of convergence, all produce cutaneous poisons consisting of vesicles or faint density granules.

Pathologic Criteria to Estimate the State of the Liver in Potential Donors.

OBJECTIVES: The pathologic evaluation of the liver is one of the most important issues in liver transplants. We evaluated the histopathological condition of livers in potential donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After liver biopsy, 37 potential donor livers were histologically studied. Liver tissue was stained by hematoxylin and eosin as well as Masson Trichrome. RESULTS: The results of the study showed the morphologic criteria used to estimate the state of the liver in potential donors is not only steatosis and fibrosis, but other important histologic criteria, such as proteinosis, necrosis of hepatocytes, endotheliitis of central veins, inflammatory infiltration, endarteritis in portal tracts and phlebitis in portal tracts, proliferation of the bile ducts, and cholestasis. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the study showed that the morphologic criteria to estimate the state of the liver in potential donors includes not only steatosis and fibrosis, but other important histologic criteria as well.

Application of Cellular Technologies to the Experimental Treatment of Destructive Inflammatory Arthropathies.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of destructive inflammatory joint diseases (arthropathies) is one of the issues of current interest in modern medicine. In destructive inflammatory diseases, the regenerative ability of cartilaginous tissue proves to be inadequate for neogenesis of joints. The goal of this study is to determine the efficacy of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell fraction (MNC) and multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MMSC) in the treatment of destructive inflammatory joint diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 15 male rabbits weighing 3-4 kg with experimental destructive inflammatory knee joint disease. The test animals were divided into 3 groups: reference group without treatment, first test group - introduction of autologous MNC from rabbit bone marrow into the affected joint, and second test group - introduction of cultured MMSC from rabbit bone marrow into the joint. RESULTS: A morphological examination of the synovial membranes in the reference group on the 40th day of the experiment revealed chronic synovitis with destruction of synoviocytes, thickening and inflammatory infiltration of the underlying connective tissue (subintima). During examination of synovial membranes in the first test group the patches of thickened regenerating inner layer (intima) made up by large proliferating synoviocytes were observed. The layer of loose connective tissue (subintima) contained a large number of small blood vessels and was only slightly infiltrated by inflammatory cells. The morphological examination of synovial membranes in the second test group discovered thickened regenerating intimal layer sitting on hypertrophied subintima with dense vascular network. Elastic collagenous layers of synovial membrane adjoined proliferating elements in cartilage plates. CONCLUSION: Both autologous MNC fraction and MMSC from bone marrow proved effectiveness in the treatment of destructive inflammatory joint diseases which stimulate neoangiogenesis. At the same time, it must be noted that the introduction of MMSC diminished destructive changes and accelerated proliferative process.