Germinated barley downregulates hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 enzyme gene expression in a hepatic steatohepatitis rat model.

Steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis are common pathological features in the progression of hepatic steatosis. In the current work, we investigated the effect of germinated barely on the structure and function of the liver and its regulatory mechanism on SDC1 gene expression in a steatohepatitis rat model. Forty-eight adult male white Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group I, control; Group II, rats fed a germinated barley diet; Group III, rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD); and Group IV, rats fed both germinated barley (GB) and a high-fat diet for 14 weeks. Biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric studies, as well as qRT-PCR, were used to analyze the effect of germinated barley on steatohepatitis. The rats in Group IV had a lower liver index percentage and improved altered lipid profile and liver function tests compared to those in Group III. Supplementation of GB with a HFD ameliorated the histopathological features in the livers of rats fed a HFD, decreased the percentage of CD68-positive macrophages, and lowered the upregulated expression of SDC1. Supplementation of a HFD with GB prohibited the deterioration of liver function, lipid profile, and alteration of liver structure; it also decreased the associated hepatic inflammation and downregulated SDC1 in liver tissue.

Morphohistometric study of the ligamentum flavum in cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebrae: comparative approach

Anatomic characterization and fine structure of the human ligamentum flavum (LF), especially at different spinal levels, represent an attractive focus for the scientific and surgical application. Descriptive anatomical and structural study of LF at the cervical, thoracic and lumbar levels of the vertebral column in human cadavers is carried out here. The aim of the work is to clarify the anatomical features and fine structural differences in the human LF at different vertebral levels (cervical, thoracic and lumbar). Specimens of vertebral column were obtained from 34 human preserved cadavers. Their average age ranged between 56 and 69 years. Morphometric parameters including height, width and thickness of the ligament flavum at the midlevels of cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions were measured. Sections obtained from different levels were stained with different stains. Morphometric measurements involved the relative elastic area, relative collagen area, elastic area and collagen area% were measured.The results of the height, width and thickness of the LF at different spinal levels showed gradual increase in their mean values respectively. The LF midline gaps were found in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. The morphometrical measurements showed that the average elastic area was highest in the cervical region and lowest in the thoracic region. In the lumbar region, the percentages of both elastic area and the collagen area were nearly the same. The characterization of morphological and histological aspects of the LF at different spinal levels will be of great importance for applications in spinal surgery, biomechanical and physical rehabilitation of vertebral column

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