Morphological, Histological, and Histochemical Studies on the Adrenal Gland of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) During the Post Hatching Period

The adrenal gland of the Japanese quail is a bilateral endocrine organ that is located in the abdominal cavity. The development of the adrenal gland begins in the pre hatching period and continues during the post hatching. The current study aimed to describe the anatomical and histological changes of the adrenal gland in Japanese quail during the post hatching period. The present study was carried on Japanese quail chicks, at ages of day of hatching, two- and four-weeks post-hatching. The dissected adrenal glands were investigated morphologically, histologically, and histochemically. In the current work, the interrenal tissue makes up most the adrenal parenchyma and the chromaffin mass gradually increase with the age. The interrenal tissue at the peripheral zone of the gland arranged into arch-like cords, becomes more prevalent throughout the gland with age, notably at five weeks. They were strongly positive for PAS especially on the day of hatching age but appeared negative by Grimelius argyrophilic stain. At the two weeks of age, chromaffin cells appeared in the form of triangular islets scattered between the interrenal cells. They are smaller and fewer than the interrenal cells, at the age of five weeks the chromaffin islets increased in size and concentrated at the central zone. Two types of chromaffin cells were observed by using Grimelius argyrophilic stain; one of them contain dark brown granules and the other is free from these granules. Finally, distinct morphological changes in the adrenal gland occur during the post-hatching phase

Descriptive Histopathological and Ultrastructural Study of Hepatocellular Alterations Induced by Aflatoxin B1 in Rats

Liver sinusoids are lined by fenestrated endothelial cells surrounded by perisinusoidal cells, Kupffer cells, and pit cells, as well as large granular lymphocytes. The functional ability of the liver cells can be substantially modified by exposure to toxins. In the current work, we assessed the histopathological and ultrastructural effects of a time-course exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the hepatic structures of rats. A total of 30 adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a group orally administered 250 µg/kg body weight/day of AFB1 for 5 days/week over 4 weeks, and a group that received the same AFB1 treatment but over 8 weeks. Histopathological and ultrastructural examinations of hepatocytes revealed massive vacuolar degeneration and signs of necrosis. Furthermore, the rat liver of the treated group exhibited damage to the sinusoidal endothelium, invasion of the space of Disse with hyperactive Kupffer cells, and some immune cells, as well as Ito cells overloaded with lipids. In addition, damaged telocytes were observed. Taken together, our results indicate that AFB1 induces irreversible adverse effects on the livers of rats

Potent hepatoprotective activity of common rattan (Calamus rotang L.) leaf extract and its molecular mechanism

Abstract Background Calamus rotang L. (CR) is an Indian shrub. The leaves and other organs of the plant are traditionally used in India for treatment of various diseases. The in vitro antioxidant property of the leaves extract was previously established. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of CR ethyl acetate extract at a dose of 350 mg/kg on CCl4 induced hepatotoxic rats through different mechanisms. Methods Histopathological examination of the treated rats’ group in comparison with positive and negative controls were performed. Quantitative measuring of the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF α), inflammatory regulators (Arginase, PPAR α) and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in comparison with positive and negative control groups was achieved using immunohistochemical examination. HPLC profiling of the polyphenol contents and molecular docking of the identified compounds against BH3 proapoptotic protein were correspondingly studied to evaluate the potential antiapoptotic property. Results The CR extract greatly protects the liver tissue through the suppression of TNF α, arginase and PPAR α induced by CCl4 as well as its enhancement of the antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Fourteen polyphenols of different classes were identified in CR extract and tested via molecular docking for their potential antiapoptotic activities against BH3 protein. Naringin, rutin, 7-hydroxy flavone, and ellagic acid compounds exhibit the highest affinity and potential inhibition of pro-apoptotic protein BH3 via molecular docking study. Conclusions The ethyl acetate fraction of the leaves of C. rotang is rich in polyphenols that exhibited potent hepatoprotective effect on CCl4 induced hepatotoxic rats through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-steatosis and antiapoptotic properties