The pattern of branching and intercommunications of the musculocutaneous nerve for surgical issues: anatomical study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present work was to provide evidence about the anatomical variations as regard the origin, distribution, and branching pattern of the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brachial plexus was dissected in 40 upper limbs of 20 male adult cadavers. The pattern of the MCN was photographed by a digital camera. RESULTS: The location and length of the nerve branches between left and right arms were recorded and statistically analysed. In 90% of specimens the MCN originates from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, in 5% it arose from the median nerve (MN), while in the remaining 5% specimen, it was absent. The MCN pierced the coracobrachialis muscle in 90% of specimens, and in the remaining 10% did not pierce it. The motor branches to biceps brachii muscle were categorised into: type 1 (90%): one branch that divides to supply the two heads of biceps; type 2 (5%): double branches, innervating each head of biceps separately. The motor branches to brachialis muscle were categorised into: type 1 (82.9%): one branch; type 2 (14.2%): double branches and type 3 (2.9%): three branches that innervating brachialis muscle. Communications between the MCN and the MN were observed in 35% of specimens. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge of the common and uncommon MCN variations is important especially to the surgeons for carrying out surgical procedures in axilla and arm.

Protective effect of garlic extract against maternal and foetal cerebellar damage induced by lead administration during pregnancy in rats.

BACKGROUND: In spite of its industrial usefulness and varied daily uses, lead (Pb) pollution is a widespread ecological problem that faces the humans in the 21th century. Pb was found to produces a wide range of toxic effects including neurotoxicity especially to the developing and young offspring. Recently, the utilisation of herbal plants has received a significant attention where there has been rising awareness in their therapeutic use; among these is the garlic. In light of the above, the current study is designed experimentally in female pregnant rats in order to investigate the beneficial role of garlic extract in the protection from the maternal and foetal cerebellar damage produced by administration of different doses of Pb during pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Positively pregnant female rats were divided into five groups; one control group, two Pb-treated groups (exposed to 160 and 320 mg/kg b.w. of Pb, respectively) and two groups treated with both Pb and garlic (exposed to Pb as previous groups together with 250 mg/kg b.w./day of garlic extract). Treatments started from day 1 to day 20 of pregnancy, where the mother rats of different experimental groups were sacrificed to obtain the foetuses. Pb level in the maternal and foetal blood and cerebellum was estimated by spectrophotometry. Specimens of the cerebellum of different mother and foetal groups were processed to histological and immunohistochemical staining for microscopic examination. RESULTS: The results showed that administration of Pb to pregnant rats resulted in a dose-dependent toxicity for both mothers and foetuses in the form of decrease in maternal weight gain, placental and foetal weights, brain weight and diminished foetal growth parameters, which were prominent in rat's group treated with larger dose of Pb. In Pb-treated rats, Pb level in blood and cerebellum was high when compared with the control group. The histopathological examination of the cerebellum of treated dams and foetuses showed marked alterations mainly in the form of Purkinje cell degeneration and lack of development of foetal cerebellum. Co-treatment of garlic extract along with Pb resulted in a significant decrease in Pb levels as compared with those treated with Pb alone with improvement of the histopathological changes. CONCLUSIONS: This study was useful in evaluating the hazardous effects of uncontrolled use of Pb in general and in assessing the developmental and neurotoxicity of foetuses due to exposure during pregnancy in particular. Co-administration of garlic has beneficial effects in amelioration of Pb-induced neurotoxicity and reversing the histopathological changes of the cerebellum of mother rats and foetuses. (Folia Morphol 2018; 77, 1: 1-15).

Does allicin combined with vitamin B-complex have superior potentials than alpha-tocopherol alone in ameliorating lead acetate-induced Purkinje cell alterations in rats? An immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study.

BACKGROUND: The current article aims to explore the protective potentials of α-tocopherol alone and the combination of allicin and vitamin B-complex against lead-acetate neurotoxicity on the cerebellar cortex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). Group 1 was the control group; Group 2 received 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of lead acetate; Group 3 was exposed to 10 mg/kg BW of lead acetate plus a combination of allicin (100 mg/kg BW) and vitamin B-complex (40 mg/kg BW); Group 4 was administered lead acetate (10 mg/kg BW) and α-tocopherol (100 mg/kg BW). The animals received the treatment for 60 days by oral gavage. All the groups were studied ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). RESULTS: The affected groups revealed shrunken and degenerated Purkinje cells with irregular nuclei. The cytoplasm comprised several lysosomes, unhealthy mitochondria, and dilated Golgi saccules. The myelinated nerve fibres demonstrated breaking of the myelin sheaths, apparent vacuoles, and broad axonal spaces. Immunohistochemically, there was a tremendous surge in GFAP-positive astrocytes in the lead acetate-treated group. These histological and ultrastructural variations were ameliorated by the administration of a-tocopherol and the combination of allicin and vitamin B complex. Moreover, an apparent decrease in the number of GFAP-positive astrocytes was obvious in the protected groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although both a-tocopherol and the combination of allicin and vitamin B-complex can be used as possible adjuvant therapies to ameliorate nervous system ailments attributable to lead acetate, α-tocopherol showed more protective potential.

The ameliorative potential of Hyphaene thebaica on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. The aim of the current study is to investigate the possible beneficial effects of Hyphaene thebaica in DN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this, 50 male albino rats were divided into five groups: group I - represented the control group; group II - received Hyp-haene thebaica extracts of 150 mg/kg BW by oral gavage for 6 weeks; group III - received single intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg BW) to induce type-2 diabetes mellitus; group IV (protective) - diabetic rats recei-ved Hyphaene thebaica extract (150 mg/kg BW) orally for 6 weeks; group V (curative) - received Hyphaene thebaica extract (150 mg/kg BW) orally after the diagnosis of DN. RESULTS: In the DN protected group, blood glucose, urea, and creatinine decreased significantly, while insulin and C-peptide increased significantly. Moreover, cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin decreased. Collagen fibre deposition is increased with an apparent thickening of the parietal layer of Bowman's capsules and the basal lamina of convoluted tubules, as well as increase of the immune-reaction of caspase-3 and desmin. The introduction of Hyphaene thebaica led to greater amelioration in the biochemical markers, apoptotic alterations, and podocyte injuries of the protected group than in the curative group. CONCLUSIONS: Hyphaene thebaica may be advised as a good choice that can delay diabetic renal complications.

Ameliorative potentials of a combination of fenugreek and alpha-tocopherol on cadmium induced testicular toxicity: an ultrastructural study.

BACKGROUND: The current study aimed to elucidate the protective role of combined fenugreek and a-tocopherol against cadmium induced histopathological changes in the testes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult male albino rats divided into three equal groups 10 rats each. Group I is the control group. Group II received 5 mg/kg/ day cadmium chloride. Group III received 5 mg/kg/day cadmium chloride and 150 mg/kg/day fenugreek and 100 mg/kg/day of a-tocopherol. The treatment of all groups was done by oral gavage for 60 consecutive days. The testes were removed and subjected to histopathological and ultrastructure study. RESULTS: Rats exposed to cadmium showed severe histopathological changes in the testicular spermatogenic series, many vacuoles and multinucleated giant cells. Treatment with fenugreek and a-tocopherol partially improved the morphological changes, reduced tissue damage and rebuilt of the spermatogonia layer. CONCLUSIONS: Fenugreek and a-tocopherol might represent a promising medicinal combination to ameliorate the toxic effects of cadmium exposure.

Protective role of antioxidants on thioacetamide-induced acute hepatic encephalopathy: biochemical and ultrastructural study.

Thioacetamide (TAA) has been used in development of animal models of acute hepatic encephalopathy (AHE). This experimental study was designed to evaluate effects of oral administration of vitamin C, vitamin E and their combination on liver and brain enzymes and their histologic and ultrastructure changes. Eighty Wistar rats were included and divided into five groups (16 each). Group 1 (control) received saline once intraperitoneally (IP) then administered orally saline and corn oil for 3 days. Group 2 [hepatotoxic (TAA)] were received TAA (300mg/kg) once intraperitoneally (IP). Group 3 (vitamin C and TAA) received TAA (300mg/kg) once intraperitoneally (IP) and then administered orally vitamin C (100mg/kg) daily for 3 days. Group 4 (vitamin E and TAA) received TAA (300mg/kg) once intraperitoneally (IP) and then administered orally vitamin E (200mg/kg) daily for 3 days. Group 5 (vitamin C and vitamin E and TAA) received TAA (300mg/kg) once intraperitoneally (IP) and then administered orally vitamin C (100mg/kg) in combination with vitamin E (200mg/kg) daily for 3 days. All rats were sacrificed 24h after last treatment under anesthesia. Blood samples were collected and serum was obtained for analysis of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol using spectrophotometer and ELISA kits. Liver and brain were extracted and tissue homogenate was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO). Histological and ultrastructure examination were done. TAA induced significant increase of MDA and decreased in GSH and NO in both liver and brain homogenate with more liver affection, and increased in serum levels of AST, ALT, triglyceride, cholesterol and decreased in total protein. Furthermore, there is decrease in serum levels of AST, ALT, triglyceride, cholesterol and tissue levels of MDA and elevated serum total protein and tissue GSH and NO under the umbrella of vitamin C and vitamin E and their combination, although vitamin E is more efficient. These data showed protective effect of vitamins C and E, especially vitamin E against oxidative stress and hepatic and brain damage, and histological architecture of the liver in rats' model of acute hepatic encephalopathy elicited by TAA.