Histological structure of Nannospalax xanthodon cochlea tissue

Because of the growth retardation in the eyes of Nannospalax xanthodon blind mole rat, some genetic and environmental adaptations have occurred in the smelling and hearing systems so that they can communicate efficiently in the galleries underground. This study was aimed to determine the histological and morphometric structure of the unique organization of the cochlea, which plays an important role in hearing in N. xanthodon. After the decalcification process, the cochlear tissue was cut in 5 mu m thickness after routine histological procedures. Then these sections stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin and Masson trichrome methods were examined histologically. Besides, the data obtained by taking measurements with the Image J program in the basal, media, and apex regions of the cochlea were evaluated statistically. It was observed that basilar membrane length, tectorial membrane length, stria vascularis thickness, and inner-outer hair cell lengths increased, while Reissner's membrane length and basilar membrane thickness decreased. These data show that the general histological structure of the blind mole rat cochlea is similar to that of other mammals. By evaluating histomorphological findings, it was concluded that cochlea, which plays a primary role in hearing with the effect of living conditions and genetic structures, develops better in blind mole rats than other living species

Thymoquinone improves testicular damage and sperm quality in experimentally varicocele-induced adolescent rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of thymoquinone against the negative effects of varicocele on testicular tissue and sperm morphology. Five groups were formed by random selection from a total of 40 adult male Wistar rats (n = 8). Thymoquinone (5 mg/kg/day) was administered intraperitoneally to the varicocele-dimethyl sulfoxide-olive oil-thymoquinone (VT) group and the sham-thymoquinone group. At the end of the 60th day, all groups were anaesthetised and the left testis was removed from the body quickly. One half of the testis tissue, which was divided into two, was separated for biochemical and Western blot analysis, while the other half were fixed in Bouin's fixative. As a result of biochemical, molecular and histopathological analyses, a statistically significant increase was found in the varicocele group testicular tissues in the malondialdehyde level, apoptotic index, Bax expression, cytochrome c expression and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio compared with the sham group. In addition, histopathological changes characterised by partial or complete degeneration of the germinal epithelium were observed in the seminiferous tubules in the same group. Total oxidant status level and sperm count with abnormal morphology increased in varicocele group, whereas total antioxidant status level decreased. In the VT group, all of the biochemical, molecular and histopathological changes detected in the varicocele group were statistically significantly reduced. When the findings obtained in this study are evaluated, it can be said that thymoquinone has the potential to be used as a preventive and therapeutic pharmacological agent in the medical treatment of varicocele. Although the exact mechanism of action of thymoquinone has not been fully elucidated, the findings obtained in this study support the view that thymoquinone showed a cytoprotective effect by reducing apoptosis, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation