The impact of busulfan on the testicular structure in prepubertal rats: A histological, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study.

Busulfan is a widely used cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Temporary or permanent sterility in male patients is one of the most common side effects of this drug. The present study was performed to evaluate the changes in the microscopic structure of the testes of prepubertal rats, as well as the changes in PCNA and caspase-3 immune expression, at different durations after busulfan administration. The rats were 5 weeks old and were divided into two main groups. Control group and busulfan treated group. Busulfan treated group received a single dose of busulfan (40 mg/kg), then animals were subdivided to three subgroups; IIa, IIb, IIc which were sacrificed after four, ten and twenty weeks, respectively, from the beginning of the experiment. Light and electron microscopic studies were done. Serum testosterone level and relative testes weight were assessed. Immunohistochemical staining for anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and anti-caspase-3 antigen was also done. Morphometric and statistical studies were carried out. Group II revealed histological and ultrastructural degenerative changes including congested blood vessels and degenerated spermatogenic epithelium, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells. These changes were more evident after 10 weeks of busulfan administration and were accompanied by absence of mature sperms in the lumen of seminiferous tubules. These changes were associated with a significant reduction in relative testes weight, testosterone level, germinal epithelial height and seminiferous tubule diameter. Moreover, PCNA and caspase-3 immune expression was significantly altered in busulfan treated group. Mild improvement in testicular structure was observed 20 weeks after busulfan treatment.

Histological and immunohistochemical study of cardiac telocytes in a rat model of isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction with a reference to the effect of grape seed extract.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac telocytes (TCs) represent a unique type of cells that make a supportive network for stem cells that contribute in cardiac renewal, but their role during myocardial infarction (MI) is not clear. Grape seed extract (GSE) is a powerful natural antioxidant. AIM OF THE WORK: Quantitative study of cardiac TCs in a rat model of Isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI, and to evaluate the effect of GSE on TCs and MI progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy adult male albino rats were assigned into 4 groups; group I; control rats, group II received GSE (100mg/kg/day) dissolved in distilled water orally, group III received 2 intra-peritoneal injections of 85mg/kg ISO dissolved in saline on 14th and 15th day to induce MI, and group IV received GSE and ISO. Myocardium was obtained 1 and 14days after ISO i.e. on day 16 and day 30 respectively. Tissue was prepared for histological and immunohistochemical study of CD117 and CD34 as two markers for TCs. CD34 was used also as a marker for angiogenesis. RESULTS: Group III showed focal areas of myocardial infarction 1day and 14days after ISO. Degenerated cardiomyocytes showed loss of striation and hypereosinophilic vacuolated cytoplasm with condensed nuclei. Mononuclear cell infiltration and a significantly increased percentage area of fibrosis 14days after ISO were observed. CD117 and CD34 positive TCs were hardly detected 1day after ISO. Their number slightly increased 14days after ISO with insignificant difference to control. There was also a significant increase in the number of CD34 positive blood vessels 14days after ISO. Group IV showed much better histological picture with a significant decrease in the percentage area of fibrosis and a significant increase in the number of CD117 and CD34 positive TCs and the number of CD34 positive blood vessels as compared to group III. CONCLUSION: Telocytes were significantly decreased in MI. GSE reduced ISO-induced histological changes and increased the number of TCs that improved angiogenesis.