Corrigendum to "Protective effect of aged garlic extract against the oxidative stress induced by cisplatin on blood cells parameters and hepatic antioxidant enzymes in rats" [Toxicol. Rep. 1 (2014) 682-691].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2014.09.003.].

Aged garlic extract protects against oxidative stress and renal changes in cisplatin-treated adult male rats.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CP) is one of the effective anticancer drugs, but it causes many side effects. Aged garlic extract (AGE) is a natural herbal product used in management of many diseases. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate effect of AGE on CP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four equal groups of adult male rats: control, AGE -treated (250 mg/kg, once oral dose/ 21days), CP-treated (7.5 mg/kg once i.p. on day 16th.), combined AGE and CP-treated were used. Body and kidneys weights of each rat were calculated. Serum levels of kidney biomarkers were assessed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduce glutathione (GSH) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of renal tissues were measured as well. Renal samples from each rat were prepared for light and electron microscopic examinations. RESULTS: Hemorrhage, glomerular atrophy, inflammatory cell infiltration, tubular necrosis and degeneration were observed in CP-treated rats. Also, a significant (P<0.001) reduction in SOD & CAT activities, GSH levels accompanied with a significant increase in serum levels of kidney biomarkers and MDA were determined in CP-treated rats compared to control group. However, most of CP-induced histomorphological, ultrastructural and biochemical changes were improved in animals pretreated with AGE. CONCLUSION: Such renoprotective effect of AGE may be attributed to its antioxidant activity.

Origin of profunda femoris artery and its circumflex femoral branches: anatomical variations and clinical significance.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the anatomical variations of the profunda femoris artery and its circumflex branches is important during angiographic diagnostic procedures as well as during performing surgery in the femoral region. The aim of this study was to examine the original sites, distances and variations of the profunda femoris artery and its circumflex branches. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University from October, 2011 to May, 2013 after the approval of the medical ethical committee. Dissections of 90 femoral triangles of 25 male and 20 female adult human cadavers were performed to demonstrate the origin and distribution of the profunda femoris artery and its circumflex branches. RESULTS: The profunda femoris artery mostly originated from the posterolateral aspect of the femoral artery in 42% of male limbs and in 42.5% of female limbs, from the posterior side in 24% of male and 27.5% of female limbs, from the lateral side in 20% of males and female limbs and from the posteromedial aspect in 14% of male limbs and in 7.5% of female limbs. The mean distance of origin of profunda femoris artery from the midpoint of inguinal ligament was 51.5 ± 1.9 mm in right male, 49.7 ± 1.9 mm in left male, 48.5 ± 2.2 mm in right female and 48.9 ± 2.2 mm in left female limbs. The medial and lateral circumflex arteries originated mostly from the profunda femoris artery (60% in males; 57.7% in females) at a mean distance of 18.6 ± 2.1 mm and 20.2 ± 2.2 mm in right male, 19.6 ± 1.9 mm and 22.5 ± 2.3 mm in left male, 18.8 ± 2.7 mm and 21 ± 2.6 mm in right female and 19.1 ± 2.1 mm and 21.7 ± 2.6 mm in left female limbs, respectively. The original incidence of the medial and lateral circumflex femoral arteries from the femoral artery including the common trunk was 40% in male and 42.3% in female limbs. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of the original sites and distances of the profunda femoris artery and its circumflex femoral branches will allow the surgeon to define the vascular pattern before performing any invasive procedure and to avoid unexpected iatrogenic injuries.

Protective effect of aged garlic extract against the oxidative stress induced by cisplatin on blood cells parameters and hepatic antioxidant enzymes in rats.

Cisplatin (CP) is one of the most active cytotoxic drugs. However, it has several side effects that are associated with increased oxidative stress. Aged garlic extract (AGE) is a natural product containing different compounds with antioxidant activity. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of AGE on CP-induced hepatotoxicity. Four equally male rat groups: control, AGE-treated (250 mg/kg once for 21 days), CP-treated (7.5 mg/kg, once intraperitoneal), combined AGE and CP-treated were used. Blood samples were collected to investigate blood picture and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), bilirubin (TSB) and albumin. The liver of each rat was excised, cleaned, weighed, rinsed in ice-cold saline and homogenized for assessment malondialdehyde (MDA) level, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and level of reduced glutathione (GSH). Histological examination was also carried out. AGE-pretreated rats revealed significant reduction in serum levels of AST, ALT & TSB and increase serum albumin level induced by CP administration. Furthermore, AGE significantly ameliorated CP-induced increase in MDA level and decrease in GSH level, CAT and SOD activities in liver tissue homogenates. Additionally, histopathological and blood picture examinations revealed markedly ameliorated CP-induced toxicity on blood cells parameters and liver structure. Our results prove that AGE has antioxidant and protective effects against CP-induced oxidative stress and changes in parameters of blood cells and liver structure in rats. Thus, it could be used as a dietary supplementation to reduce toxic side effects of anticancer drugs.

Morphological, biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural protective effects of misoprostol on cisplatin induced-hepatotoxicity in adult male rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible protective effect of misoprostol on cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity. METHODS: Four-equal sized groups (control, cisplatin-treated, misoprostol-treated, combined misoprostol, and cisplatin-treated) adult male Wistar rats (6 each) were used in this study. Body weight, liver weight, and liver weight/body weight ratio was calculated. Blood samples were obtained from the hearts of rats to determine the levels of total serum bilirubin (TSB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and albumin. Liver specimens were prepared for both light and electron microscopes. The study was carried out between June 2012 and April 2013 at the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt, and the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: A single cisplatin dose (7.5 mg/kg intraperitoneally) resulted in significant elevation of AST, ALT, and TSB serum levels, and a significant reduction of serum albumin level, body weight, liver weight, and liver weight/body weight ratio. A combination of misoprostol (200 ug/kg/day) with cisplatin improved most of the previous parameters. Examination of specimens by both light and electron microscopes revealed pericentral hepatic necrosis, periportal fibrosis, dilatation, and congestion of central vein and blood sinusoids, diminished glycogen content, degenerated mitochondria, vesicular dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum, and nuclear changes in cisplatin-treated rats. Oral intake of misoprostol with cisplatin improved many of these changes. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that misoprostol may have a protective effect on cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity.

Morphology and clinical implication of the extra-head of biceps brachii muscle.

The biceps brachii muscle is present in the anterior aspect of the arm. Its morphological variations have great clinical significance for surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists, neurologists and anatomists. This study aimed to describe the incidence and morphology of the extra-heads of the biceps brachii muscle. Hundred upper limbs of 50 adult human cadavers (30 men and 20 women) were used in this study after the approval of the medical ethical committee. These cadavers were obtained from the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdul-Aziz University. The incidence of anatomical variations of biceps muscle was equal in both male and female cadavers (10%) with predominance of the left side (7%). The 3-headed biceps brachii muscle was noticed in 7% (4% male and 3% female), while the 4-headed biceps was seen in 2 (2%) left limbs, 1 male and 1 female. The third head of the biceps muscle arose from the anteromedial aspect of humerus, between the coracobrachialis insertion and the brachialis origin, in 6% and from middle of the medial border of humerus in 3%. While the fourth head originated from the articular capsule of shoulder joint in 1 (1%) limb and from the coracoid process of scapula in the other limb. The biceps common tendon of insertion received the supernumerary heads in 7% of the limbs. However, the extra-head fused with the long head in 2 (2%) limbs and united with the short head in 1 (1%) limb. The mean of the third head length was 118.8±10.9 in all limbs, where it was 121.8±12.3 in male and 113.5±8.1 in female cadavers. The third head length/arm length ratio was 38.4±2.6 in all, 38.3±3.4 in male and 38.8±1.8 in female cadavers. The length of the extra-head was extremely significant with those of the corresponding limb in all, male and female cadavers (p<0.0001). Knowledge of the morphological variations of biceps muscle provides better pre-operative evaluation, safe surgical intervention within the arm and better postoperative outcomes.

Morphology and clinical significance of the distribution of the median nerve within the arm of human cadavers.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the patterns of formation, level of beginning, variations of course, and relation of the median nerve within the arm of human cadavers. METHODS: Sixty upper limbs of 20 male and 10 female adult human cadavers were used in this study. The cadavers were obtained from the Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the study was conducted between February and December 2011. The axillary regions, arm, and forearm, of each limb were dissected to clarify the different patterns of median nerve formation and distribution within the arm. RESULTS: The formation of the median nerve from 2 roots was found in 88.3% of upper limbs, while in 11.7% of upper limbs, it had 3 roots. Moreover, the median nerve began at the level of the third part of the axillary artery in 93.3% of upper limbs, and at the coracobrachialis muscle insertion in 6.7% of upper limbs. However, in correlation to the brachial artery, the median nerve had 6 patterns of relationship. The median nerve passed deep to the coracobrachialis and brachialis muscles in 8.3% of upper limbs. Meanwhile, the median nerve supplied the front arm muscles in 3.3% of upper limbs where the musculocutaneous nerve was absent. In 13.3% of upper limbs, the musculocutaneous nerve gave a communicating branch to the median nerve. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of such variants of the median nerve helps clinicians and surgeons in the diagnosis of unexplained clinical cases.

Endoscopic orientation of the parasellar region in sphenoid sinus with ill-defined bony landmarks: an anatomic study.

The sphenoid bony landmarks are important for endoscopic orientation in skull base surgery but show a wide range of variations. We aimed to describe an instructional model for the endoscopic parasellar anatomy in sphenoid sinuses with ill-defined bony landmarks. Five preserved injected cadaveric heads and four sides of dry skulls were studied endoscopically via transethmoid, transsphenoidal approach. The parasellar region was exposed by drilling along the maxillary nerve (V2) canal [the length of the foramen rotundum (FR) between the middle cranial fossa and the pterygopalatine fossa]. This was achieved by drilling in the inferior part of the lateral wall of posterior ethmoids immediately above the sphenopalatine foramen. Cavernous V2 was traced to the paraclival internal carotid artery (ICA). Cavernous sinus (CS) apex was exposed by drilling a triangle bounded by V2 and its canal inferiorly, bone between FR and superior orbital fissure (SOF) anteriorly, and ophthalmic nerve (V1) superiorly. Drilling was continued toward the annulus of Zinn (AZ) and optic nerve superiorly and over the intracavernous ICA posteriorly. Endoscopic measurements between V2, SOF, AZ, and opticocarotid recess were obtained. Endoscopic systematic orientation of parasellar anatomy is presented that can be helpful for approaching sphenoid sinus with ill-defined bony landmarks.