Valproic acid induces histologic changes and decreases androgen receptor levels of testis and epididymis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Valproic acid (VPA), an anti-epileptic drug, can cause male subfertility. However, the degree to which testicular and epididymal histopathologies and androgen receptor (AR) expression are changed under VPA treatment has never been reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histopathological changes and AR protein levels of testis and epididymis in VPA-treated rats for every single day. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into control and VPA-treated groups (n=8/ each). Treated rats were injected with 500 mg/ kgBW, intraperitoneally, VPA for 10 consecutive days. At the end of every experimental day, all reproductive parameters including histology by hematoxylin and eosin staining and protein expression of AR by Immuno-Western blot in testis and epididymis were examined. RESULTS: VPA-treated rats showed dramatically changes in testicular and epididymal histopathologies compared to control group. The multinucleated giant cells and sloughing of germ cells were observed on day 6. The germ cell disintegration and increased intercellular spaces of seminiferous tubular epithelium appeared in days 7-10 of VPA treatment. Additionally, extensive multinucleated giant cells and complete exfoliation were clearly found from days 8-10. Such exfoliated germ cells were clearly seen in its epididymal lumen at day 10. The increasing rate of sperm concentration was approximately 32.31% of that in control group at day 10 (p=0.03). Moreover, the protein expressions of testicular and epididymal AR (% intensity/ 80 µg protein lysate) was decreased in VPA-treated rats compared with control. CONCLUSION: VPA treatment induces histologic changes of germ cell epithelium in seminiferous tubules and decreases the expression of testicular and epididymal androgen receptors.

Types of facets on the superior articular surface of Isan-Thai dried calcanei / Tipos de facetas de la superficie articular superior de calcáneos secos de tailandeses del nordeste

The patterns of talar articulating facets must be concerned in surgical procedure or the internal and external fixation in various diseases of the foot. The variant types of calcaneal facets on the superior articular surface have been reported in many races except in Thais. This study therefore was aimed to investigate the patterns of superior articulating facet of dried calcanei in Isan-Thais. The identified 396 Isan- Thai dried calcanei (202 males and 194 females) were carried out for variant superior facet observations. The results showed that types of facets observed could be classified into three major types (Type 1 [60.86%], Type 2 [38.64%], and Type 4 [0.51%], respectively). In sub-type classifications, there were Type 1A (24.75%), Type 1B (36.11%), Type 2A (12.88%), Type 2B (14.14%), Type 2C (2.78%), Type 2D (8.84%), and Type 4 (0.51%), respectively. Additionally, it was found that the percentage of Type 2A of male (15.84%) was much greater than that of female (9.79%) compared to those of other types. This incidence of facet types is valuable information for Thai orthologists to concern about treating in talocalcaneal joint area.

Los patrones de las facetas articulares del talus deben considerarse en los procedimientos quirúrgicos o en la fijación interna y externa en varias enfermedades del pie. Variaciones en las facetas articulares del calcáneo, correspondientes a la superficie articular superior, se han reportado en muchas razas y grupos étnicos, excepto en los tailandeses. Por tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar los patrones de presentación de las carillas articulares de calcáneos secos en Tailandases-Isan. Se estudiaron 396 huesos calcáneos secos (202 de hombres y 194 de mujeres). Los resultados mostraron que los tipos de carillas observadas se pueden clasificar en tres tipos principales (tipo 1 [60,86%], tipo 2 [38,64%] y Tipo 4 0,51%, respectivamente). Las subclasificaciones se distribuyeron en los subtipos 1A (24,75%), 1B (36,11%), 2A (12,88%), 2B (14,14%), 2C (2,78%), 2D (8,84%), y 4 (0,51%), respectivamente. Adicionalmente, se encontró que el porcentaje del Tipo 2A de hombres (15,84%) fue mayor que en las mujeres (9,79%) en comparación con los otros tipos. Consideramos que la incidencia de aparición de los distintos tipos de facetas constituyen una información valiosa para ortopedistas tailandeses en relación a los tratamientos a desarrollar en el área de la articulación talocalcanea.

Phyllanthus emblica l. branch extract ameliorates testicular damage in valproic acid-induced rats / El extracto de la rama de Phyllanthus emblica l. disminuye el daño testicular inducido por ácido valproico en ratas

Valproic acid (VPA), widely used in treating epileptic patients, can damage reproductive parameters causing male infertility. This study aimed to investigate protective effect of Phyllanthus emblica L. branch (PE) extract on rat testicular damage induced with VPA. Male rats were divided into 6 groups (control, VPA, 250 mg/kgBW PE only, and 50, 100, 250 mg/kgBW PE+VPA, respectively). Animals were pretreated with PE for 23 days and co-administered with VPA for 10 days before all reproductive parameters were determined. The results showed all doses of PE significantly protected the decrease testicular weight and testosterone level in VPA rats. PE significantly improved the decrease sperm concentration in VPA treated rats. Moreover, testicular histology of PE+VPA groups showed declining of testicular histopathologies as compared to VPA group. Therefore, it seems that PE branch extract can prevent testicular damages including male reproductive parameters in rats induced with VPA.

El ácido valproico (AVP) es utilizado frecuentemente en el tratamiento de pacientes epilépticos y puede dañar los parámetros reproductivos que causan la infertilidad masculina. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar el efecto protector de la rama Phyllanthus emblica L. (PE) sobre el daño testicular de ratas inducidas con AVP. Ratas machos fueron divididas en 6 grupos (control, AVP, PE 250 mg/kg peso corporal, APV+ PE 50, 100, 250 mg/kg peso corporal, respectivamente). Los animales fueron pretratados con PE durante 23 días y se administró AVP durante 10 días antes de medir todos los parámetros reproductivos. Los resultados mostraron que todas las dosis de PE protegen significativamente el peso y los niveles reducidos de testosterona testicular en ratas con AVP. El extracto de PE mejoró significativamente la concentración de espermatozoides en ratas tratadas con AVP. Por otra parte, la histología testicular de los grupos PE+AVP mostró disminución de la histopatología testicular en comparación con el grupo tratado sólo con AVP. Por lo tanto, parece que el extracto de la rama PE puede prevenir daños testiculares incluyendo los parámetros reproductores masculinos en ratas inducidas con AVP.

Aneurysm, tortuosity and kinking of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries in Thai cadavers / Aneurisma, tortousidad y torsión de la parte abdominal de la aorta y de las arterias ilíacas en cadáveres tailandeses

The prevalence of the aneurysm, tortuosity, and kinking of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries is important for primary consideration in operative planning. The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of abnormality of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries and demonstrate the patterns of kinking external iliac arteries in Thai cadavers. Eighty-five Thai embalmed cadavers (58 males and 27 females) were observed and measured the diameter of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries using a vernier caliper for assessment of aortic aneurysm (AAA). To investigate the tortuosity and kinking of iliac arteries, a standard goniometer was applied to measure the individual angle of iliac artery. In addition, the kinking patterns of external iliac artery were classified. The prevalence of AAA was 4.71% and the aneurysms of common and internal iliac arteries were 4.12 and 0.59%. The tortuosity of common and external iliac arteries were 1.76 and 20%. No tortuosity of internal iliac artery was observed. In addition, the kinking of common, external, and internal iliac arteries were 4.71, 16.47, and 1.18%, respectively. Moreover, the patterns of external iliac aortic kinking were classified into 4 major types (S-shape; reversed ­C shape; low grade shape; and V-shape). We have observed the prevalence of the aneurysm, tortuosity, and kinking of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries in Thai cadavers. Currently, the 4 kinking variations of external iliac arteries were also first demonstrated.

La prevalencia de aneurisma, tortuosidad y torsión de la parte abdominal de la aorta y arterias ilíacas es relevante para la consideración primaria en la planificación quirúrgica. Se realizó un estudio para investigar la prevalencia de alteraciones en las parte abdominal de la aorta y arterias ilíacas y demostrar los patrones de torsión en las arterias ilíacas externas de cadáveres tailandeses. Se observaron 85 cadáveres tailandeses embalsamados (58 hombres y 27 mujeres); se midió el diámetro de la parte abdominal de la aorta y arterias ilíacas utilizando un pie de metro para la evaluación de aneurisma aórtico. Para investigar la tortuosidad y torsión de las arterias ilíacas, se utilizó un goniómetro estándar para medir el ángulo individual de la arteria ilíaca. Además, se clasificaron los patrones de torsión de las arterias ilíacas externas. La prevalencia de aneurisma aórtico fue 4,71% y los aneurismas de las arterias ilíacas comunes e internas fueron 4,12% y 0,59%. La tortuosidad de las arterias ilíacas comunes y externas fueron 1,76% y 20%. No se observó tortuosidad de la arteria ilíaca interna. Además, la torsión de las arterias ilíacas comunes, externas e internas fueron 4,71%, 16,47% y 1,18%, respectivamente. Por otra parte, los patrones de torsión fueron clasificados en 4 tipos principales (formas de S, de C invertida; de bajo grado y en V). Observamos la presencia de aneurisma, tortuosidad y torsión de la parte abdominal de la aorta y arterias ilíacas en cadáveres tailandeses. Demostramos también por primera vez, las 4 variaciones de torsión de las arterias ilíacas externas.

Variant insertion of the teres major muscle.

The teres major (TerMa) muscle has a clinical significance for tendon transfer procedures in patients with massive rotator cuff tears. Individually, it originates from the dorsum of the inferior angle of scapula and inserts into the medial lip of bicepital groove of the humerus. Functionally, TerMa in cooperation with latissimus dorsi (LD) adducts arm, medially rotates arm, and assists in arm extension. The variation of TerMa insertion is very rare. In the shoulder and axillary regions of a 33-year-old Thai male cadaver, the variant insertion of the right TerMa was found. The muscle fibers of TerMa are directly attached at the supero-medial border of LD tendon. Notably, there was no terminal tendon of TerMa. To explain an unusual movement of the arm, this rare variation of the TerMa insertion is necessary to be recognized. This case report is very important for surgeons to preoperatively consider using the terminal tendon of TerMa for tendon transfer in treating patients with irreparable cuff tears.

Duplicated axillary arch muscles arising from the latissimus dorsi.

Many origins and insertions of an axillary muscular slip (also known as Langer's or axillary arch muscles) have been documented previously. In this report, we found duplicated axillary arch muscles (two variant muscular slips) originating from the inferolateral border of the right side latissimus dorsi muscle. Obviously, these axillary arch muscles can be distinguished as short and long muscular strips. While the origin was the same, the short muscular slip inserts into the fascia covering on the pectoralis minor, whereas the longer one inserts on/into the aponeurosis of pectoralis major. For the surgery in the axillary region, this rare variation should be considered a cause of surgical interventions.