RESUMO
Liver sinusoids are lined by fenestrated endothelial cells surrounded by perisinusoidal cells, Kupffer cells, and pit cells, as well as large granular lymphocytes. The functional ability of the liver cells can be substantially modified by exposure to toxins. In the current work, we assessed the histopathological and ultrastructural effects of a time-course exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the hepatic structures of rats. A total of 30 adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a group orally administered 250 µg/kg body weight/day of AFB1 for 5 days/week over 4 weeks, and a group that received the same AFB1 treatment but over 8 weeks. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations of hepatocytes revealed massive vacuolar degeneration and signs of necrosis. Furthermore, the rat liver of the treated group exhibited damage to the sinusoidal endothelium, invasion of the space of Disse with hyperactive Kupffer cells, and some immune cells, as well as Ito cells overloaded with lipids. In addition, damaged telocytes were observed. Taken together, our results indicate that AFB1 induces irreversible adverse effects on the livers of rats.
RESUMO
Bisphenol A (BPA) is intensely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Recently, BPA has been receiving increased attention due to its link to various health problems that develop after direct or indirect human exposure. Previous studies have shown the harmful effect of high doses of BPA; however, the effect of small doses of BPA on disease development is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a low dose of BPA on the rat myocardium and to explore the outcome of coadministration of Omega-3 fatty acid (FA). Thirty adult male rats were divided equally into control group, BPA-treated group (1.2 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally for 3 weeks), and BPA and Omega-3-treated group (received BPA as before plus Omega-3 at a daily dose of 300 mg/kg/day orally) for 3 weeks. Exposure to BPA resulted in structural anomalies in the rat myocardium in the form of disarrangement of myofibers, hypertrophy of myocytes, myocardial fibrosis, and dilatation of intramyocardial arterioles. On the other hand, mast cell density and media-to-lumen area ratio were not significantly altered. Interestingly, concomitant administration of Omega-3 FAs with BPA significantly reduced BPA-induced changes and provided a protective effect to the myocardium. In conclusion, exposure to a low dose of BPA could potentially lead to pathological alterations in the myocardium, which could be prevented by administration of Omega-3 FA.
RESUMO
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most toxic and well-known mycotoxin that exists in many food stuff. Exposure to AFB1 has been reported to produce serious biochemical and structural alterations in human and animal organs, however, its effect on the brain is not well studied. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the possible histopathological effect of AFB1 and its withdrawal on the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Fifteen adult female Wistar rats were divided into 3 equal groups: control, AFB1 (15.75 µg/kg/orally, once weekly, for 8 weeks) and recovery groups. Brain sections were processed for hematoxylin and eosin staining as well as for NeuN and GFAP immunostaining. AFB1 administration resulted in several histopathological alterations including; cellular degeneration, dilatation of the blood vessels and significant decrease in the thickness of the frontal cortex and the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell layer. In the frontal cortex, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of astrocyte distribution without changes in neuronal numbers. On the other hand, in the hippocampal CA1 region, there was a significant reduction of neuronal number and a significant increase in the percentage of astrocyte distribution. Importantly, AFB1-induced structural alterations were rescued following AFB1 withdrawal. In conclusion, AFB1 induce histological alterations in the rat brain which are potentially reversible upon withdrawal.