ABSTRACT
The female reproductive system is very sensitive to different environmental chemicals and food additives such as monosodium glutamate. Coenzyme Q10 [CoQ10] is a naturally occurring compound and a potent antioxidant. To investigate the structural changes and the immunohistochemical distribution of leptin in the ampulla of oviduct in adult female albino rats after administration of monosodium glutamate, and to study the effects of CoQ10 supplementation. Fifty adult female albino rats were divided into four equal groups: group I control rats, group II receiving monosodium glutamate, group III receiving CoQ10, and group IV receiving monosodium glutamate and CoQ10. After 2 months, rats were weighed and killed during the diestrous phase. Blood samples were collected for assessment of serum cholesterol. Oviducts were prepared for histological study and immunohistochemical localization of leptin. Control group showed positive immune reaction for leptin. Group II showed a significant increase in body weight and serum cholesterol associated with structural and ultrastructural changes, in addition to negative immune reaction for leptin. Group III showed similar structure to the control group. The increase in body weight and serum cholesterol in group IV was not significant. There were no changes in the histological structure of the oviduct. A positive immune reaction for leptin was detected. Administration of monosodium glutamate alters the histological structure and expression of leptin in the oviduct. The coadministration of CoQ10 with monosodium glutamate partially prevented these changes, suggesting a protective effect of CoQ10
Subject(s)
Female , Animals, Laboratory , Oviducts/anatomy & histology , Leptin/genetics , Oviducts/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron , Protective Agents , Ubiquinone/analogs & derivatives , Treatment Outcome , Rats , MaleABSTRACT
Temperature is one of the stressful factors affecting body systems including zona fasiculata of suprarenal cortex. Investigation of ultrastructural changes in zona fasiculata cells of suprarenal cortex in adult male albino rats after short exposure to high ambient temperature and effect offish oil administration. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into: Group I control rats, group II rats exposed to high ambient temperature [38°C] 1 hour/day for L one week and group III included rats exposed to high ambient temperature similar to group II and receiving 0.4mg/kg/day fish oil orally, in addition. Animals were sacrificed after one week and suprarenal cortex was prepared for ultra-structural study of zona fasiculata. Compared to group I, rats exposed to high ambient temperature in group II showed significant increase in serum corticosterone and revealed few lipid droplets without discernible outline, dilated smooth endoplasmic reticulum, disrupted cristae of mitochondria and condensed nuclear chromatin in many cells, In group III, rats exposed to high ambient temperature and receiving fish oil showed insignificant increase in serum corticosterone. Many lipid droplets were found and were surrounded with discernible outline. Most of mitochondria were similar to control animals. However, disrupted cristae in few mitochondria were still found. Exposure to high ambient temperature resulted in evident ultrastructural degenerative changes in zona fasiculatacells of adult male albino rats. The administration of fish oil ameliorated such degenerative changes, suggesting a possible favorable effect of fish oil on zona fasiculata cells on exposure to high ambient temperature
ABSTRACT
Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 80% of deaths among diabetic patients. Diabetic patients may suffer from cardiac insult termed 'diabetic cardiomyopathy. Investigation of biochemical structural and ultastructural changes of the diabetic hearts and effect of supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid [ALA]. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into: group I control rats, group II diabetic rats and group III diabetic rats receiving ALA. Diabetes was induced in rats of groups II and III by streptozotocin drug. The animals were sacrificed after 16 weeks. The hearts and sera were prepared for biochemical and microscopical studies. Diabetic [Group-II] animals showed significant increase in levels of serum; glucose, malondialdehyde [MDA], cholesterol and hepatic glucose -6-phosphatase enzyme [G-6-Pase] activity in addition to a significant decrease in tissue glutathione [GSH]. Structurally, cardiac muscle fibers appeared swollen with areas devoid of fibers, with collagen deposition among them. Ultrastructurally, diabetic hearts showed poorly organized myofibrils and sarcomeres, disrupted Z lines, dilated sarcoplasmic reticulum, abnormal mitochondria with heterogonous electron dense matrix and disrupted mitochondrial membranes. Some mitochondria showed vacuoles and thsion with each other. The wall of blood vessels was irregular. Secondary lysosomes and myelin bodies in between myofibrils were detected. In diabetic [Group-Ill] animals, ALA partially prevented biochemical structural and ultrastructural changes. Different structural, ultrastructural and biochemical changes were evident in diabetic rats after 16 weeks. The supplementation of ALA in diabetic rats partially prevented such changes, suggesting its possible protective effect against the risk of the progression of cardiovascular diseases during diabetes