Subcutaneous and intraperitoneal lipogranulomas following subcutaneous injection of olive oil in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Olive oil is commonly employed as a solubilizing agent for lipophilic materials in preclinical studies in rodents. Here we report that following subcutaneous (SC) injection of olive oil to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, local SC lipogranulomas formed, which were associated with an unusual location of the same changes in the peritoneum. Macroscopically, multifocal white spots were found over the liver and mesentery. Histologically, lipid granulomas were seen in the SC injection site, as well as on the capsular or serosal surface of the abdominal organs. No abnormal clinical signs were noted except for swelling at the injection site. The olive oil may have reached the peritoneal cavity from the SC tissue passively via the lymphatic vessels or actively after engulfment by antigen-presenting cells via the lymphatic or blood vessels. These findings are of particular importance for drug safety assessments, as the occurrence of lipogranulomas in locations distant from the site of administration may lead to misinterpretation of histological results. We suggest that these aberrations may be induced by the administration of olive oil as a vehicle.

Glycosaminoglycans prevent the functional and morphological peritoneal derangement in an experimental model of peritoneal fibrosis.

Chronic peritoneal dialysis results in fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane, which leads to progressive reduction in dialytic efficacy. It was recently shown that the intraperitoneal administration of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) improves the efficiency of peritoneal dialysis in CAPD patients. To verify whether the favorable effects of GAGs are purely functional or involve a morphological amelioration of the peritoneal membrane structure, a study was carried out in an animal model of plasticizer-induced peritoneal fibrosis. Rats, in which chronic renal failure had been induced by subtotal nephrectomy, received either placebo, plasticizers (i.p.), or GAGs (s.c.), or plasticizers (i.p.) and GAGs (s.c.). Urea dialysate-to-plasma equilibrium, urea and albumin peritoneal clearance, and glucose reabsorption were determined. The peritoneal membrane was evaluated morphometrically and histologically. In plasticizer-treated animals, peritoneal function tests and morphology were dramatically deranged. On the contrary, the subcutaneous administration of GAGs in plasticizer-treated rats maintained the peritoneal physiology and normal structure. The subcutaneous administration of GAGs protects peritoneal functions by affecting the remodeling of the peritoneum, rather than by a purely functional or simple mechanical effect.

Pelvic granulomata mimicking endometriosis following the administration of oil-based contrast media for hysterosalpingography.

BACKGROUND: Hysterosalpingography is used commonly in the evaluation of infertility and in the diagnosis of anomalies of the uterus and fallopian tubes. There is continued debate over the safety and diagnostic or therapeutic efficacy of water-soluble versus oil-based contrast media. CASE: A 29-year-old woman with secondary infertility underwent hysterosalpingography with both water-soluble and oil-based contrast. The fallopian tubes appeared normal. Six months later, a plain abdominal radiograph obtained at the occasion of a minor motor vehicle accident revealed evidence of retained loculated pelvic contrast material. Subsequent laparoscopy identified adhesions and cul-de-sac implants strongly suspicious for endometriosis. Biopsy and pathologic study documented lipogranuloma. CONCLUSION: Oil-based contrast media instilled into the pelvis at hysterosalpingography can persist for prolonged periods and create granulomatous lesions mimicking endometriosis. In view of the controversy whether oil-based contrast materials are superior to water-soluble media, the routine use of oil-based contrast media should be considered carefully.

[Experimental histological study of the local toxicity of intra-tubal injections of methotrexate]. / Etude histologique expérimentale de la toxicité locale de l'injection intratubaire de méthotrexate.

The injection of methotrexate is an alternative to laparoscopic surgical treatment of unruptured ectopic pregnancy. An experimental trial on rabbits was designed to evaluate this new approach. In situ injection of methotrexate does not cause either real tubal epithelial impairment, nor an adverse effect on treated rabbits' fertility. However, sub-peritoneal injections of methotrexate are responsible for a typical histological lesion. These results are discussed emphasising the importance of the way the administration is carried out.

Selective inhibition by magnosalin and magnoshinin, compounds from 'shin-i' (Flos magnoliae), of adjuvant-induced angiogenesis and granuloma formation in the mouse pouch.

Inhibitory effects of magnosalin and magnoshinin, compounds from the crude drug 'Shin-i' (Flos magnoliae), on angiogenesis and pouch granuloma formation induced by an adjuvant containing croton oil were investigated. Magnosalin inhibited angiogenesis 2.4-fold (intra-pouch) and 9.7-fold (intraperitoneal) more strongly than granuloma formation. The inhibition of angiogenesis by magnosalin was 5-fold (intra-pouch) and 21-fold (intraperitoneal) weaker than that by hydrocortisone. In contrast, intraperitoneal magnoshinin inhibited granuloma formation 2.5-fold more strongly than angiogenesis. The regression coefficients of anti-angiogenesis vs. the inhibition of granuloma formation were 1.79 for magnosalin, 1.11 for hydrocortisone, and 0.61 for magnoshinin. These results show that the anti-chronic inflammatory effect of 'Shin-i' was caused by selective inhibition of angiogenesis by magnosalin and of granuloma formation by magnoshinin.