Lead-induced morphometric changes in the kidneys of albino rats ameliorated by ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761).

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of ginkgo biloba extract on lead-induced morphometric changes in the kidneys of albino rats. METHODS: This randomised controlled study was conducted at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from April 2009 to March 2010, and comprised male Wistar albino rats weighing between 150-180 gm who were randomly divided into three equal groups, A, B and C. These were further split into subgroups 1, 2, 3 and 4 according to the duration of the experiment (one, two, four and six weeks). Group A rats were given 1 ml normal saline intraperitoneally daily, group B rats were given lead acetate 8mg/kg intraperitoneally daily, while group C animals received 100mg/kg ginkgo biloba extract orally along with 8mg/kg lead acetate injection. The animals were sacrifised at the end of the prescribed period, and kidneys were retrieved, fixed, stained and examined under light microscope. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 120 rats, there were 40(33.3%) in each group. Time-dependent deterioration was observed in the histological architecture of kidneys in group B animals compared to the group A animals, whereas less marked changes were observed in the protected group C animals. In group B animals, the diameter of proximal convoluted tubules increased, the number of proximal convoluted tubules and their nuclei decreased, whereas diameter of the nuclei decreased after an initial increase during the first and second weeks. These parameters remained largely undisturbed in group A animals, whereas changes in group C animals were comparable with those in the controlled group A animals. CONCLUSIONS: Ginkgo biloba extract had a protective effect on lead-induced morphometric changes in the kidneys of albino rats.

Forensic Age Estimation of Individuals from Computed Tomography Analysis of Medial Clavicular Epiphysis in Pakistani Population.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of chronological age through ossification of the medial clavicular epiphysis using computed tomography (CT) scan. STUDY DESIGN: An Observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: Dow Institute of Radiology, Dow University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from February 2021 till October 2021. METHODOLOGY: Subjects aged 10-35 years of either gender reported without any clavicular trauma or fracture, no known chronic illness or malignancy, or no congenital bony abnormalities, or any prior surgical intervention to the sterno-clavicular region were included. The fusion of maturity of medial clavicular epiphyses was evaluated on either side by using the five-stage classification system reported by Schmeling. RESULTS: Of 200 patients, a significant increase in the age of the patients was observed with respect to the increase in the stages (p <0.001). When stratified on the basis of gender, a significant increase in age was also observed with respect to the increase in stages (p <0.001). Stage 4 was observed in majority of the patients, i.e., 81 (40.5%), followed by stages 2 and 3 in 35 (17.5%) each, stage 5 in 32 (16%), while stage 1 was observed in 17 (8.5%) patients. An insignificant difference of age was observed with respect to the gender of the patients (p= 0.472, 95% CI -2.91 - 1.35). CONCLUSION: The fusion of the medial clavicular epiphysis showed a considerable degree of variability. Fused clavicles at stage 4 could be observed at age 22 years or less in males while at 21 years or less in females. KEY WORDS: Age estimation, Schmeling method, Medial clavicular epiphysis, Computed tomography.

The Short-term Effects of Insulin, Metformin and Insulin-Metformin Combination on the Liver Morphology in High Fat Diet / Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Albino Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the histological effects of insulin, metformin and insulin-metformin combination on liver morphology in high fat diet (HFD) / Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic albino rats. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental and comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Institute of Basic Medical Sciences (IBMS), Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Ojha Campus, Karachi, from January to August 2012. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted on 50 HFD/STZ induced diabetic albino wistar rats which were randomized into 5 groups. One of the groups was treated with insulin, one with metformin, and the other group with insulin-metformin combination for 4 weeks. One of the groups was left untreated. One group was control group. After the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and livers were isolated, weighed, processed and stained to analyse the difference in hepatic morphology in each treated and untreated groups, then the results were compared with control rats. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) was seen between the groups by using Kruskill Wallis Test. To further investigate the effectiveness of insulin, metformin and insulin-metformin combination, Mann-Whitney U-test was applied. Statistically significant difference was noticed when diabetic rats were given insulin-metformin combination (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The combination therapy was observed to have better effects on liver morphology than insulin and metformin used separately.