Immunohistochemical analysis of the arterial supply and mast cells of the trigeminal ganglion

The aim of this study was to quantify the distribution of microvessels and mast cells in all three parts of the trigeminal ganglion (TG). Statistical analyses were applied to investigate possible micromorphological regional differences in their density. Five serially sectioned human TGs were prepared for CD34 and mast cell tryptase immunostaining. The following quantifications were performed in microscopic fields of three parts of the TG: microvessel density (MVD), mast cell density (MCD) and ganglionic cell count. The density of CD34-positive microvessels was not significantly different in any of the three observed parts of the TG. The distribution of neurons showed no significant statistical difference in three parts of the TG. There was no difference in the density of tryptase-positive mast cells within the TG, but there was an abundant presence of mast cells in the periganglionic dural and subdural tissues, a finding hitherto not reported. We can say that there is a homogenous vascular pattern within the TG which excludes local predominance in pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia. Second, and more important, the finding of peri-trigeminal mast cells indicates their important role in migraine pain and confirms their degranulation as the main therapeutic goal for this condition

Silver Nanomaterials in Contemporary Molecular Physiology Research

Silver nanoparticles have numerous potential applications in engineering, industry, biology and medicine. Because of their unique chemical properties, they have become the focus of many research teams all over the world. Silver nanoparticles may exhibit significant antimicrobial and anticancer effects, and they may be a valuable part of various bioassays and biosensors. However, the research on biological and medical uses of AgNPs is related with numerous potential problems and challenges that need to be overcome in the years ahead. Possible toxic effects of silver nanoparticles on living organisms represent a great concern, both in clinical medicine and public health. Nevertheless, in the future, it may be expected that all metallic nanomaterials, including the ones made from silver will greatly benefit almost all natural scientific fields. In this short review, we focus on the recent research on silver nanoparticles in experimental physiology, as well as other areas of fundamental and clinical medicine

Intramesencephalic course of the oculomotor nerve fibers: microanatomy and possible clinical significance

Comprehension of the mesencephalic syndromes that affect oculomotor nerve fascicles requires a detailed knowledge of their relationship with the adjacent structures and the blood supply of the central midbrain region. This was the reasoning behind our study, which was performed in ten serially sectioned midbrains stained with cresyl violet and luxol fast blue, in three microdissected midbrains, and in two injected and cleared specimens. Three continuous groups of the intramesencephalic oculomotor nerve fascicles were distinguished: the caudal, intermediate and rostral. The caudal fascicles, which most likely innervate the superior rectus and the levator palpebrae superioris muscles, extend through the superior cerebellar peduncle just caudal to the red nucleus and close to the lateral lemniscus. The intermediate fascicles, devoted to the medial rectus and the inferior oblique muscles, always pass through the superior cerebellar peduncle, just medial to the caudal part of the red nucleus (60 %), and less frequently (40 %) through the nucleus itself. The rostral oculomotor fascicles, which terminate in the inferior rectus and sphincter pupillae muscles, course medial to the rostral part of the red nucleus. While the rostral and intermediate oculomotor fascicles are supplied only by the medial twigs of the paramedian mesencephalic perforating arteries, the caudal fascicles are also nourished by the lateral branches of the same perforating arteries. The data obtained form an important basis for the explanation of certain mesencephalic syndromes, and even anticipate some new syndromes not yet described in the literature

Toxicity evaluation of two polyoxotungstates with anti-acetylcholinesterase activity

A toxicity evaluation of two Keggin-type heteropolytungstates, K-7[Ti2PW10O40].6H(2)O and K6H [SiV3W9O40].3H(2)O, with different inhibitory potencies toward acetylcholinesterase activity (IC50 values of 1.04 x 10(-6) and 4.80 x 10(-4) mol/L, respectively) was performed. Wistar albino rats were orally treated with single doses (5 and 50 mg/kg) of both investigated compounds. The biochemical parameters of renal (serum urea and creatinine) and liver function (direct and total bilirubin, alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase) were determined after 24 h and 14 days. A histopathological analysis of liver tissue was carried out 14 days after the polyoxotungstate administration. Both applied doses of the investigated compounds did not induce statistically significant alterations of the renal function markers. However, the polyoxotungstate treatment caused an increase in the activities of serum alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase in a time- and concentration -dependent manner, although statistically significant changes in bilirubin concentrations were not observed. Furthermore, the detected hepatotoxic effect was confirmed by histhopathological analysis that suggested some reversible liver tissue damage two weeks after the treatment, especially in the case of K6H [SiV3W9O40]-3H(2)O. Accordingly, the toxicity of these two polyoxotungstates with anti-acetylcholinesterase effect cannot be considered as a severe one, but their potential clinical application would require a more complex toxicological study