Potentiating response of D- Ribose-L-Cysteine on Sodium arsenate- induced hormonal imbalance, spermatogenesis impairments and histomorphometric alterations in adult male Wistar rat.

OBJECTIVE: Reproductive toxicity is an important health challenge, mostly associated with exposure to several environmental toxicants. Arsenic is a ubiquitous toxic compound naturally present in the environment. This study was carried out to evaluate the dietary supplements of D-Ribose-L-Cysteine against sodium arsenate-induced testicular toxicity in adult male Wistar rats. METHODS: A total of 32 male rats (150-250g) were randomly divided into four (4) groups (n=8). Group A received normal saline as placebo; Group B received 8mg/kg BW of Sodium arsenate only; Group C received 8mg/kg BW of Sodium arsenate and 10 mg/kg BW of D-Ribose- L-cysteine; Group D received 8mg/kg BW of Sodium arsenate and 30 mg/kg BW of D-Ribose- L-cysteine. All administration was done via oral gavage for 28 days, thereafter the animals were sedated with pentobarbital sodium (intraperitoneally); we obtained testes and blood serum for analysis. RESULTS: The results showed abnormal testicular morphology with degeneration and decrease in spermatogonia, vacuolation and empty lumen, intense necrosis, spermatogenesis disruption (decrease sperm count, motility, viability) and degraded germinal epithelium of the seminiferous tubules, reduction in the hormone profile (FSH, LH, and TT) and oxidative stress parameters (CAT, GSH, and SOD) with a corresponding increase in MDA level in the arsenic-only treated rats (group B) compared to their control counterparts (group A), but it was ameliorated after DRLC administration, both in low and high doses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: D-Ribose-L-Cysteine attenuated distorted testicular morphology, altered semen characteristics, hormone profile, and oxidative stress markers by preventing the deleterious toxicity of sodium arsenate.

The Prevalence and Classification of the Cystoduodenal Ligament.

Variant patterns of peritoneal folds could be formed due to the complex nature of the embryology of the peritoneum and the gastrointestinal tract. When uncommon peritoneal folds are formed, they could influence aberrant formation of surrounding gastrointestinal structures and create spaces that may harbour peritoneal fluids in cases of infection or malignant tumor. One of such variant peritoneal folds is the cystoduodenal ligament which is a doubled peritoneal membrane attaching the gallbladder to the duodenum. Yet no study was found that had reported the frequency of occurrence of the cystoduodenal ligament. The current study determined the prevalence of the cystoduodenal ligament in forty adult cadavers. The ligament was reported in 35% of cases. The ligament was further classified as types I and II. Type I cystoduodenal ligament was attached partially to the gallbladder (neck and proximal part of body) while type II was attached to the entire extent of the gallbladder. Type I occurrence was found in 44% and type II was found in 56% of the occasions of cystoduodenal ligament formation. It is concluded that the cystoduodenal ligament could be commonly found, it possesses important vascular structures, and it could affect the shape of the gallbladder. Surgeons, radiologists, and anatomists should be kept abreast of these findings.

Pes Anserinus Structural Framework and Constituting Tendons Are Grossly Aberrant in Nigerian Population.

We evaluated the morphological framework of the pes anserinus in both knees of ten Nigerian cadavers and we observed high degree of variability in its morphology and location. The pes anserinus inserted specifically on the superior half of the media border of the tibia, as far inferiorly as 124.44 mm to the tibial tuberosity (prolonged insertion). The insertion was also joined to the part of tibia close to the tibia tuberosity (90%) and to the fascia cruris (10%). The initial insertion point of the pes anserinus was always found at the level of the tibia tuberosity. We found out that accessory bands of sartorius, gracilis, or semitendinosus were part of the pes anserinus in 95% of all occasions studied whereas the combined occurrence of monotendinosus sartorius, gracilis, and semitendinosus tendons was found in only 5% of all occasions. The pes anserinus did not conform to the layered pattern and the tendons of sartorius, gracilis, or semitendinosus were short. The inferior prolongation of the pes anserinus connotes extended surface area of attachment to support the mechanical pull from the hamstring muscles. This information will be useful in precise location and grafting of the pes anserinus.

The quadriceps gastrocnemius muscle.

The gastrocnemius muscle forms the belly of calf muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg. This paper reports a four-headed gastrocnemius (named quadriceps gastrocnemius) muscle as a new variant and when present can alter the anatomy and/or the boundaries of the popliteal fossa. The four heads are named as medial, intermedio-medial, intermedio-lateral and medial. The newly identified heads, intermedio-medial and intermedio-lateral heads form the inferior boundaries of the popliteal fossa. Clinical conditions like popliteal entrapment syndrome may arise because of distal fossa congestion created by the intermedio-medial and intermedio-lateral heads. This supernumerary heads may also be useful for grafting and they also provide bulkier mass for gastrocnemius proximal attachment. The knowledge of anatomical variants presented is useful to surgeons, prosectors and radiologists.

Multiple abdominal peritoneal and intestinal variations and their accompanying clinical implications.

Accessory peritoneal sac and cystoduodenal ligament as peritoneal variations were observed in a cadaver in our laboratory. Slender stomach, thin transverse colon, redundant sigmoid colon, absent ascending colon and doubly distended gall bladder were also reported in the same cadaver. Relevant anatomical and clinical implications are discussed.

Cystoduodenal ligament as an abnormal fold and the accompanying anatomical and clinical implications.

This paper reports two cases of cadaveric cystoduodenal ligament in the lesser omentum, different from the commonly known hepatoduodenal and hepatogastric ligaments. Cystoduodenal ligament was occasionally reported and implies a variation in the anatomy of the omental bursa and its foramen. The omental foramen which has been commonly described to provide communication between the greater and the lesser sacs, and located posterior to the free egde of the lesser omentum, is not so in these cases. The knowledge of abnormal peritoneal folds like this may be important to surgeons, prosectors and radiologists.