Evaluation of "myrrh extract" against schistosoma mansoni: a histological study

This study investigated the effect of myrrh extract on different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni. Sixty albino mice were used and divided into three main groups: GI [control group], Gil [infected group] and Gill [infected-treated group]. The last group was further divided into 3 subgroups where the drug was administered in a dose of 500mg/kg body weight for 5 days starting on the 1[st] day PI for IIIA, on the 21[st] day PI for IIIB and on the 45[th] day PI for IIIC. A morphometric study was performed for the mean number and perimeter of granulomas. In Gil, typical bilharzial granulomas were frequently encountered in the portal tracts with numerous eosinophils, collagen fiber deposition and reticular fiber condensation. Hepatocytes revealed vacuolation, nuclear affection and depletion of glycogen. In GIII, granulomas were less frequently observed with apparent decrease of eosinophils. The maximum effect of the drug was observed in SGs IIIB and IIIC as detected by significant decrease in the mean number and size of granulomas, paucity of eosinophils, decreased fibrosis and reticular fibers and the restoration of the glycogen content in the hepatocytes. The present data proved that myrrh has a valuable schistosomicidal effect against different stages of S. mansoni. This chemotherapeutic effect was more evident when the drug was given to infected mice on the 21[st] as well as on the 45[th] day PI

Effects of selenium supplementation on the structure of the tests of adult albino rat subjected to experimentally induced chronic renal failure histological and biochemical study

Infertility, decreased libido and potency are frequently observed in male patients with uremia and usually worsen with tune. Selenium deficiency, known to be associated with in ale infertility, is usually encountered in chronic renal failure. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of selenium supplementation on the structure of the testis in experimentally induced chronic renal failure. Twenty adult male albino rats were used in this study and were divided into four groups; two of which were subjected to sham operation [groups: I, II], the other two were subjected to five-sixths nephrectomy to induce chronic renal failure [groups III, IV]. Groups II and IV were given sodium selenite in a dose of 20 ug/kg BW/ day for 10 weeks. At the end of the 10 weeks period of the experiment, group II revealed decrease in the height of spermatogenic epithelium while sonic seminiferous tubules [SNTs] showed arrest at primary spermatocyte stage. Affection of mitochondrial sheath of middle piece was detected. Group Ill revealed marked depletion of spermatogenic epithelium together with complete destruction of some SNTs. Dilatation of cisternae of sER and vacuolation of mitochondria were also observed in the spermatogenesis cells. Increased number of abnormal forms of the head were detected. Group IV showed improvement of the histological picture of the testis as detected by greater number of normal SNTs as compared to group IlL Biochemical results revealed significant increase in serum creatinine, ca[2+], and leutinizing hormone [LH] level in group III as compared to control group whereas Hb content and testosterone level were significantly decreased. In groups II and IV all parameters showed non-significant changes from the control group except for testosterone level which showed a significant decrease. In conclusion, selenium supplementation in experimentally-induced chronic renal failure could improve both the structure of the testis and the biochemical profile. On the other hand, when given in the sham operated group, selenium proved to decrease n umber of spermatids

Estrogen replacement therapy in OVX-STNx rats and its nephroprotective role against progression of renal failure

Inspite of estrogen replacement therapy being extensively used in clinical and experimental studies without renal impairment, there are no long-term studies concerning estrogen replacement in chronic renal failure. This study was performed to explore whether estrogen has a nephroprotective role against progression of renal failure. This study was carried out on 41 adult female albino rats, that were allocated into 3 groups; Group 1 [n = 10] sham-operated rats, that received the solvent [sesame oil] and used as control group, Group II [n = 17], ovariectomized-subtotal nephrectomized rats [OVX-STNx] without treatment, that received the solvent, group III [n = 14], OVX-STNx rats treated with estrogen, subcutaneous [s.c.] at a dose of 30 micro g/kg/day for 10 weeks, started on the second day after ovariectomy. Mean Blood pressure was measured on the day of sacrifice. Blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine, malondialdehyde [MDA] and platelet aggregation were estimated. Kidneys were excised and examined histologically. The results of the present study showed that untreated OVX-STNx rats showed significant elevation in mean blood pressure compared to treated OVX-STNx rats [129 +/- 2.2 versus 97 +/- 3.2 mmHg]. The untreated OVX-STNx rats showed significant elevation in BUN and serum creatinine levels compared to sham-operated rats [85.9 +/- 4.0 versus 19.4 +/- 1.6 mg/dl; and 2.6 +/- 0.13 versus 0.16 +/- 0.02 mg/dl, respectively], while, the treated OVX-STNx group showed significant reduction in BUN and serum creatinine levels, compared to untreated OVX-STNx group [24.8 +/- 1.6 versus 85.9 +/- 4.0 mg/dl; and 0.38 +/- 0.04 versus 2.6 +/- 0.13 mg/dl, respectively]. In addition, serum MDA level was elevated in untreated OVX-STNx group compared to sham-operated and to treated group [6.6 +/- 0.4 versus 3.6 +/- 0.3 and 4.8 +/- 0.3 /micro mol/L, respectively]. Also, ADP-stimulated platelet aggregation showed significant reduction in untreated OVX-STNx group in comparison to sham-operated and to treated group [46.8% +/- 2.6 versus 76.5% +/- 1.8 and 65.1% +/- 3.6 respectively]. Histological examination of the remnant kidney models in untreated OVX-STNx group showed a picture of focal glomerulosclerosis, this finding was minimally seen in treated OVX-STNx group

Histological study on the effect of calcium supplementation in prophylaxis and treatment of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

With the onset of menopause, reduced estrogen levels and insufficient calcium in diet create serious problems with resultant osteoporosis and fractures. Recent moves away from hormone replacement therapy suggested calcium, as the simplest and cheapest strategies to treat and prevent osteoporosis. Accordingly, this study was carried out to focus histologically on the efficacy of calcium in the treatment and prevention of osteoporotic bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Forty adult female albino rats weighing 200 gm were used and divided into four groups. Group I [control group] included non-ovariectomized untreated rats. Group II rats were ovariectomized on day 1 of the experiment and sacrificed on day 30 after ovariectomy. Group III rats were ovariectomized on day 1 of the experiment and received 27 mg calcium carbonate daily from day 30 to day 60 and then sacrificed. Group IV rats received the same dose of calcium carbonate daily for 30 days prior to ovariectomy and for 30 days after it. The rats were ovariectomized on day 30. Group II animals showed marked decrease in the cortical bone thickness and bone trabeculae were thin and discrete. In group III animals, the decrease in cortical and trabecular bone thickness was mild. Regarding group IV, the bone architecture was maintained so that the cortical bone, and the bone trabeculae were more or less comparable to the control group. From the results of this work, it is concluded that calcium supplementation was effective in reduction and prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

Histological changes of the contralateral adrenal cortex following unilateral adrenalectomy in male albino rat

Unilateral adrenalectomy [UA] is performed not only to treat adrenal tumors but also as part of radical nephrectomy. The aim of the present study was to detect the effects of UA on the contralateral adrenal cortex, to identify the primary zone that was affected by adrenalectomy and the time at which the gland was histologically stabilized. Forty adult male albino rats with average weight 150-200 gm were used in this study. The animals were divided into 5 groups. Twelve rats were sham-operated and served as control group [group I]. The remaining 28 rats underwent right UA and were sacrificed after 3 days, 1, 2, 3 weeks [groups II, III, IV, and V respectively]. At the planned times, the left adrenal glands were excised and specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopic studies. Morphometric study was done to measure the thickness and the surface area of the cells of the three classical zones of the adrenal cortex. The results showed frequent mitotic figures in the outer zone of zona fasciculata in group II which was not evident in all other groups. In group III, the thickness and the surface area of the cells of zona fasciculata showed highly significant increase. The cells of zona glomerulosa and fasciculata showed marked cytoplasmic vacuolation more in zona fasciculata. Group IV showed gradual decrease in size and vacuolation of the cells which reverted to near normal in group V; three weeks after UA, denoting stabilization of the adrenal cortex. Electron microscopic examination revealed enlarged mitochondria, dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum and decreased lipid content in group-III, while near normal appearance was achieved in group V. These results suggested that the compensatory growth in the adrenal cortex following UA was due to both hyperplasia and hypertrophy, and that zona fasciculata is the primary zone responsible for this compensatory growth