The Ultrastructure of Skeletal Muscle Capillaries of Streptozotocin Diabetic Rats and the Therapeutic Effect of Benfluorex.

Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease worldwide and causes other associated diseases. In this study, we observed the effect of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and benfluorex treatment on muscular capillary ultrastructure. Adult male rats were used as the test subjects and each individual was intraperitoneally injected with one dose of STZ (45 mg/kg) to induce diabetes. Doses (50 mg/kg) of benfluorex were given to the subjects with tap water by intragastric gavage application once daily for 21 days. At the end of day 21, muscle tissues were obtained from animals and examined under transmission electron microscopy. From the data obtained with the electron microscope, it was observed that the control group had typical continuous capillary vascular structures in their muscles, while STZ caused disruptive disorder of the muscle cells in the capillary wall of the STZ-diabetic group. Additionally, the thickening of the basement membrane around endothelial cells, loss of mitochondrial crista in the muscle cells, enlarged endothelial cells, and narrowed vessel lumen were observed in the muscle tissue. The findings of our study revealed that STZ-induced diabetes disrupted the vascular structure, while benfluorex partially improved it.

Distribution of spleen connective tissue fibers in diabetic and vitamin C treated diabetic rats.

We investigated the distribution of connective tissue fibers in diabetic and vitamin C treated diabetic rat spleen. Rats were divided into three groups: group A, control; group B, diabetic; group C, vitamin C treated diabetic. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. Vitamin C was administered intragastrically for 21 days. Spleen tissues were examined by light microscopy after staining with Masson's trichrome, Gomori silver impregnation and van Gieson. In group B, we found accumulation of collagen fibers in the trabeculae, in the capsule and around the central artery and splenic sinusoids. Splenic cord thickening due to fibrosis was observed. Reticular fibers accumulated principally in the white and red pulps of the spleen and focal reticular fiber thickening was observed in the dense fiber areas. Partial elastic fiber rupture was observed among the fibers of the elastic lamina of the arteries in the hilum. By contrast, the distribution of collagen fibers in group C was similar to group A. Collagen fiber accumulation was decreased in group C compared to group B. We found little reticular fiber thickening in group C and elastic fibers maintained their integrity and were better organized than in group B. Our findings suggest that appropriate doses of vitamin C may exert beneficial effects on the structure of the connective tissue fibers in the diabetic spleen.

Response of thymus lymphocytes to streptozotocin-induced diabetes and exogenous vitamin C administration in rats.

Diabetes causes oxidative stress, which in turn generates excessive free radicals resulting in cellular damage. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects tissues and organs from oxidative stress. The thymus is one of the most important lymphoid organs, which regulates T-lymphocyte proliferation and maturation. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of vitamin C on the thymus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The mitotic activity and cell integrity of thymic lymphocytes were explored. Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups: control (Group 1), STZ-diabetes (Group 2) and vitamin C-treated STZ-diabetics (Group 3). Rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg STZ to induce diabetes. Vitamin C (20 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically. Semithin and ultrathin sections were examined under a light or an electron microscope, respectively. Considerable numbers of mitotic lymphocytes were observed in the thymus of control rats. In the diabetic rats, however, numbers of mitotic lymphocytes decreased to ∼57% of controls, and cell division abnormalities were observed. Additionally, diabetic rats showed degeneration in the structure of the thymus including trabecular thickening, accumulation of lipid vacuoles, heterochromatic nuclei and loss of mitochondrial cristae. Degradation of medullar and cortical integrity was also detected. In the vitamin C-treated STZ-diabetic group, the structure of the thymus and mitotic activity of the lymphocytes were similar to the control group. These results suggest that vitamin C protects the thymus against injury caused by diabetes and restores thymocyte mitotic activity.

Effect of patulin on the interdigitating dendritic cells (IDCs) of rat thymus.

Patulin is a common fungal contaminant of ripe apples used for the production of apple juice concentrates and it is also present in other fruits, vegetables and food products. Patulin is a secondary metabolite produced by species of the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus and Byssochlamys. Patulin has been reported to be mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic. Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are of prime importance in the innate immune response; they capture antigen in tissues and then migrate to the lymphoid organs to present the antigen to T lymphocytes. Thus, they are crucial for the initiation of immunity. Interdigitating dendritic cells (IDCs) are a subset of APCs that are present at the lymphatic organs. In the thymus, they act in positive and negative selection during T cell development. In the present study, patulin was administered orally to growing male rats aged 5-6 weeks. A dose of 0.1 mg kg(-1) bw day(-1) was given to rats for a period of 60 or 90 days daily. The effect of patulin on the IDCs of thymus was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the results were evaluated in terms of cell destruction. In the rats of the control group, it was observed that the IDCs had an indented nucleus, a clear cytoplasm and numerous membrane extensions. In the cytoplasm, a well-developed golgi complex, mitochondria, granular endoplasmic reticulum and a small number of lysosomal structures were observed. At day 60 of patulin-treated rat groups (P-60), loss of cristae in mitochondria and chromatin margination and lysis in the nucleus were found. It was observed that the IDCs had a perinuclear area of cytoplasm surrounded by a peripheral electron-lucent zone. In the cytoplasm of the 90-day patulin-treated rat group (P-90), a peripheral electron-lucent zone was also found, similar to the P-60 group. Additionally increase in vesicular and lysosomal structures, increase in apoptotic bodies and condensation of chromatin in the nucleus were noted. It was observed that patulin leads to apoptotic body formation and cell apoptosis in the IDCs of rat thymus especially in the P-90-treated groups.