Dalia A. Mohamed

Ameliorative effect of N‐acetyl cysteine on alpha‐cypermethrin‐induced pulmonary toxicity in male rats

Alpha‐cypermethrin (α‐CYP) is one of the most widely used insecticides. It may become an air pollutant and adversely affect the health. The present study was designed to determine whether treatment with N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC), a well‐known antioxidant, can be useful for the management of the deleterious effects of α‐CYP on lung tissues. For this purpose, thirty two male rats were divided into four different groups (eight rats for each). Group (I) gavaged with corn oil (control group), group (II) gavaged daily with NAC (150 mg kg−1 body weight), group (III) gavaged with α‐CYP (14.5 mg kg−1 body weight/day, dissolved in corn oil), group (IV) gavaged with NAC then with α‐CYP 2 h later for 12 weeks. α‐CYP significantly increased serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and pulmonary malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, while decreased the activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) content in lung. It also provoked higher levels of serum nitric oxide (NO), lung interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), hydroxyproline (Hyp) as well as heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐КB) gene expression in lung tissues. Histopathological alterations in lung with congestion, cellular infiltration, necrotic changes and thickening of inter‐alveolar septa were observed following α‐CYP administration. NAC reduced the adverse effects of α‐CYP on lung tissues and improved the histological architecture of lung since it showed antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and antifibrotic effects on lung tissues. Our results indicate that NAC exerts a potent protective effect against α‐CYP‐induced oxidative damage and inflammation in lung tissues.

Histological Study of Thyroid Gland after Experimental Exposure to LowFrequency Electromagnetic Fields in Adult Male Albino Rat and PossibleProtective Role of Vitamin E

Introduction: Thyroid gland is one of the most important endocrine organs and almost all cells of the body are target sites for its hormones. Electromagnetic field became progressively more common constituent of the general and workplace environments. Aim of work: To evaluate the effect of low frequency electromagnetic fields (LF-EMF) on the structure and function of the thyroid gland and to evaluate their reversibility and role of vitamin E. Materials and Methods: Forty five adult male albino rats were equally divided into four groups; group I (control group), group II: rats were exposed to 50 Hz EMF for 1 month, group III: rats were received vitamin E just before EMF exposure for the same period and group IV (recovery group). At the time of sacrifice, blood samples were collected to estimate TSH, T3 and T4 levels. Thyroid gland specimens were processed for microscopic examination. The heights of follicular epithelium, collagen fiber area % were morphometrically estimated and statistically analyzed. Results: Exposed group showed significant decline T3 and T4 levels together with significant increase in TSH level as compared to other groups. Histologically, this group showed congestion and dilatation of blood capillaries, cellular infiltration, follicular disintegration and vacuolar degeneration of some follicular cells. Other apoptotic follicular cells appeared with condensed chromatin or desquamated. The epithelial height and connective tissue area also affected. Vitamin E improves the biochemical and histological picture of thyroid gland (group III). Recovery group (IV) had variable alteration as compared to other groups. Conclusion: LF-EMF has very serious effect on thyroid gland and vitamin E could have a protective role against this tissue damage.

Protective role of curcumin against 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-dioxin-induced histological and biochemical changes in fundic mucosa of the adult rat stomach

Introduction 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-dioxin (TCDD) is released into the environment from different activities and industrial sources, with a higher incidence of gastric exposure. This work aimed to study the histological and biochemical changes induced by TCDD in the fundic mucosa and the possible protective role of curcumin against these changes. Materials and methods Thirty adult female albino rats were classified into three groups: the control group (group I); the TCDD group (group II), in which rats received 100 &mgr;g/kg TCDD orally for 3 months; and the curcumin+TCDD group (group III), in which rats received an oral dose of 80 mg/kg curcumin in concurrence with TCDD for 3 months. The serum level of the gastrin hormone was measured. Samples from the fundus of the stomach were stained with H&E, Van Gieson, and PAS/alcian blue and for immunohistochemical detection of aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHR) and chromogranin A. Morphometric and electron microscopic studies were also carried out. Results Hyperplasia and metaplastic mucosal changes, together with enteroendocrine cell hyperplasia, were evident. Moreover, glandular degeneration, areas of atrophic gastritis, cellular apoptosis, and gastric ulcers were detected. The previous results could be explained by both TCDD-induced hypergastrinemia and increased AHR expression. In contrast, curcumin appeared to have a propitious protective effect against TCDD-induced gastric affection. Most of the TCDD-induced gastric changes were not observed in group III. Conclusions It was concluded that the gastric mucosa is sensitive to the toxic effects of TCDD and curcumin can be used to avoid TCDD-induced gastric complications.

Testicular toxic changes induced by bisphenol A in adult albino rats: a histological, biochemical, and immunohistochemical study

Introduction Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor that is incorporated in many plastic industries worldwide. The exposure of humans to such substances starts from the fetal life to the postnatal life and extends throughout the life of the individual. Many agencies have raised warnings against the excessive use of such substances. Aim of work The present study was designed to evaluate the biochemical and histological changes induced by BPA in the testis of adult male albino rats and to detect the ability of self-regeneration after stoppage. Materials and methods Thirty-two adult male albino rats were used. The rats were divided equally into four groups (eight animals each). Groups I and II were used as negative and positive control groups, respectively. Rats of group III were given an oral dose of 50 mg/kg of BPA per day for 8 weeks. In group IV, the rats were treated in the same manner as in group III and then left without treatment for 4 weeks for recovery. At the time of sacrifice, all rats were anesthetized with ether, and blood samples were collected for estimation of testosterone. The testes were dissected out and processed for testicular malondialdehyde and glutathione measurement and light and electron microscopic examination. The diameter and epithelial height of the seminiferous tubules were estimated morphometrically and statistically analyzed. Results Biochemical results of the BPA-treated group (group III) revealed testicular affection with oxidative stress. Testes of this group showed many distorted seminiferous tubules lined by disorganized epithelium and separated with wide interstitium containing congested blood vessels. Apoptotic nuclei of some spermatids and intercellular spaces were also seen. There was a decrease in estrogen receptors. Statistical analysis of epithelial height and tubular diameter confirmed the results. However, in the recovery group (group IV), the histological and the biochemical changes were reduced but did not return to normal. Conclusion These results demonstrated that BPA had deleterious effects on the testis with some sort of self-recovery after stoppage.

Effect of experimental orchiectomy on hippocampus of adult albino rat and the role of testosterone supplementation: a histological and immunohistochemical study

IntroductionThe brain is one of the target organs for the gonadal hormone ‘testosterone’. The hippocampus plays a crucial role in learning and memory. It is a sensitive region for the effect of testosterone and hence is vulnerable to gradual age-related decline of testosterone level in men. Aim of the workThis work aimed to study the histological changes in rat hippocampus after experimentally induced orchiectomy and assess the possible beneficial role of testosterone replacement. Materials and methodsThirty-five adult male albino rats were divided into control group (group I) and two experimental groups (groups II and III). Rats in groups II and III were subjected to orchiectomy. The orchiectomized rats in group III were treated daily with testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg/day) and both groups were left alone for 30 days. At the end of the experiment, all rats were anaesthetized and their brains were removed and processed. Sections were stained by H&E and immunohistochemically for Bax, Bcl2 and glial fibrillary acidic proteins (GFAP). Further, the serum level of testosterone was measured. The results were statistically analysed. ResultsExamination of the hippocampus of orchiectomized rats showed decreased thickness of the pyramidal layer, which contained many apoptotic cells. Minute haemorrhage, cellular infiltration and dilated capillaries were also seen. Immunohistochemically, intense Bax and GFAP with minimal Bcl2 reactions were detected. The hippocampi of orchiectomized rats treated with testosterone were less affected. The pyramidal cell layer thickness was relatively normal. Few nerve cells with dark cytoplasm appeared among the normal ones. Further, minimal Bax and GFAP with moderate Bcl2 reaction were detected. Statistically, there was a significant decrease in the level of testosterone in group II compared with group I. ConclusionThe results demonstrated that decrease in the level of testosterone had deleterious histological effects on rat hippocampi. Testosterone replacement ameliorated these histological changes after orchiectomy.

Effect of perinatal acrylamide exposure on the liver of albino rat offspring: light and electron microscopic study

Introduction Acrylamide is an important and common chemical substance widely used for many industrial and laboratory purposes. Aim of the work This study was designed to determine the histological changes in developing rat liver following the administration of acrylamide in pregnant rats. Materials and methods Twenty-four pregnant female rats were administered acrylamide by gastric intubation at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day. Their offspring were divided into three groups: group I (control group) offspring of mothers were given saline; group II (IIa and IIb) offspring of mothers were given acrylamide at day 7 (D7) of gestation till D7 and D21, respectively, after birth; and group III (recovery group) offspring of mothers were treated with acrylamide from day D7 of gestation until D21 after birth and left for 1 month for recovery. Results The acrylamide-treated group IIa and IIb showed loss of hepatic architecture, areas of necrosis, bile ductular proliferation, and cellular infiltration. The hepatocytes had shrunken, deeply stained nuclei and a vacuolated cytoplasm. Depletion of glycogen granules with a decrease in nuclear DNA-containing particles was also observed. Ultrastructurally, rarification of the cytoplasm, vacuoles, and hemorrhage were observed. Ito cells abnormally lost their fat droplets with deposition of collagen fibers. The recovery group showed signs of improvement, where most of the hepatocytes almost retained their normal ultrastructure. Conclusion Acrylamide affects the liver of the developing rat during gestation and lactation periods. A recovery period was recommended to allow the tissues to retain their morphological and structural appearance.

Histological study of the effect of experimentally induced unilateral torsion/detorsion on testis of adult albino rats and role of rosuvastatin supplementation

Background Testicular torsion is a serious condition that necessitates rapid surgical intervention to save the affected testicle. Aim of the study This study was performed to throw light on the histological changes that might occur in ipsilateral testis as a result of unilateral testicular torsion and to evaluate the possible role of rosuvastatin as adjuvant therapy during surgical repair. Materials and methods Twenty-four healthy adult albino rats were equally divided into three groups: control, torsion/detorsion (TD), and rosuvastatin-treated T/D. At the end of the experiment, all rats were anesthetized and the ipsilateral testes were dissected out and processed for light and electron microscopic examinations. Diameters of seminiferous tubules and height of their epithelial lining were estimated morphometrically and statistically analyzed. Results Naked eye observation of TD testes revealed discoloration, as they became dark red in color with many superficial, dilated, corrugated blood vessels in comparison with the other groups. Examination of TD testes revealed many distorted, shrunken seminiferous tubules. Others contained exfoliated germ cells in their lumina. The germinal epithelium was reduced in thickness and appeared separated, vacuolated, and rested on irregular basement membrane. The interstitium was widened and contained homogenous acidophilic material and many thick-walled blood vessels. Wide intercellular spaces were observed between the germinal epithelium. Some spermatids had small shrunken heterochromatic nuclei. Others had distorted acrosomal caps. Sperm mid pieces showed marked detorsion of central axoneme, fibrous sheath, and mitochondrial sheath. Rosuvastatin-treated T/D testes showed apparently normal seminiferous tubules and narrow interstitium containing little acidophilic material. Some tubules showed separated germinal epithelium from basement membrane. Few tubules contained desquamated cells in their lumina. Few intercellular spaces were seen between germ cells. The mid pieces of the sperm showed distorted mitochondrial sheaths. No differences were detected between Leydig cells in different groups. Conclusion Testicular torsion induced marked histological changes in the ipsilateral testis. Rosuvastatin supplementation before the reperfusion proved to have a potential effect in improving its structure. Hence, it can be recommended under strict clinical observation before surgical intervention in clinical practice.