The illustration of a rat large intestine: a model for the effect of carcinogens

Introduction: Rat large intestine is an established model to study the effect of carcinogens. There are several distinctive features among mammalian gastrointestinal tracts in gross anatomy but they share some basic similar structures. The variety in digestive system relies on its physiology. Rats rarely eat high fatty diets, thus the function of gall bladder become less significant in their digestive system and this is justified by the fact that rats have none. Rats have large caecum designated for their fermentation chamber to digest cellulose. Another notable difference is the size and length of colon itself, in which human colon is significantly bigger and longer. We aimed to demonstrate the gross anatomy and histology of rat digestive system particularly the large intestine. Materials and method: Abdominal cavity was opened and rat digestive system in situ was identified. The whole digestive tube was released from the mesentery. The length of large intestine was measured and flushed with phosphate buffered saline to remove its contents. Representative samples from the large intestine were taken and fixed with Carnoy’s solution and neutral buffered formalin for histological study. Results: The most obvious region in rat large intestine was the caecum and no obvious partitions of large intestine as in human. Nevertheless, the histology of rat large intestine resembled the human. Gall bladder and appendix were absent in rats. Conclusion: Besides smaller in size and length, rat large intestine has a larger caecum compared to human. There is similarity between the large intestinal wall in rat and human microscopically

Topographical changes of rat's colonic mucosal after chronic arsenic exposure - A scanning electron microscopy study

Introduction: Human are exposed to arsenic threats in several ways. Our drinking water for instance, can be hazardous due to the contamination of arsenic-based pesticide and herbicide into our water supply. The most vulnerable part of our body due to ingestion of arsenic is our gastrointestinal system. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of chronic exposure to organic arsenic (Monosodium methylarsonate, MSMA) on the surface topography of rat's colonic mucosa by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Materials and Methods: 30 Sprague Dawley rats were given daily oral gavage of MSMA 42.13 mg/kg, which is 1/30 LD50, and 30 Sprague Dawley rats acted as control. 10 exposed rats and 10 control rats were sacrificed at regular intervals (2 months, 4 months and 6 months) and their colon specimens were examined by SEM. Results: In the control group, the colonic mucosa appeared normal with uniform size individual glandular units and has a central crypt orifice. The goblet cells were located in between the absorptive cells to produce mucous. In the exposed group, the rat's colonic mucosa showed increasing features of surface alterations such as haphazard shape of glandular units, slit-like crypt opening and less goblet cells with reduced number of microvilli. Conclusion: There were topographical changes of colonic mucosa of rats exposed to chronic low dose of organic arsenic

Squamous cell carcinoma in burn scars: report of three cases

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant tumour of epidermal keratinocytes. SCC may arise in chronically inflamed lesions such as burn scars and chronic ulcers. Here, we report three cases of SCC arising from pre-existing burn scars. Cases presentation: Case 1: A 63-year-old lady presented with a four-months duration of progressive skin tumour over right shoulder scar. She had burn injury over the right shoulder for more than 50 years. She underwent wide local excision of the mass and the histopathological examination (HPE) reported as well-differentiated SCC. Case 2: A 53-year-old gentleman presented with a one-year history of skin growth over left shin. He had burn injury over left lower limb since the age of 10. He underwent left above-knee amputation (AKA) and HPE reported as well-differentiated SCC. Case 3: A 31-year-old man presented with non-healing ulcers over bilateral ankles. He sustained burn injury over bilateral upper and lower limbs at the age of 11. He underwent right AKA and HPE reported as well differentiated SCC. Discussion: Malignant transformation from burn is usually slow. This type of SCC is aggressive and associated with poor prognosis. Conclusion: SCC can complicate long-standing burn scars; therefore, follow-up is recommended to look for malignant changes

Trihoney ameliorates oxidative stress in atherosclerotic aorta

Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in various pathogenic signalling pathways underlying vascular inflammation. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) play a significant role in protecting against harmful effects of ROS. Honey has been shown to function as antioxidant through suppression of oxidative stress and radical scavenging ability. This study aims to explore the antioxidant potential of Trihoney (Combination of three types of honey, namely: Trigona, Mellifera, and Dorsata) on oxidative stress in atherosclerotic plaques of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned into 5 groups as follows: normal diet (C), normal diet with 0.6g/kg/day of Trihoney (C+H), 1% cholesterol diet (HC), 1% cholesterol diet with 0.6g/kg/day of Trihoney (HC+H), and 1% cholesterol diet with 2mg/kg/day of atorvastatin (HC+At). All animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks of treatment upon confirmation of hypercholesterolemia. The atherosclerotic aorta was harvested and homogenised. Activities of SOD and GPx were determined in aorta homogenate by enzyme assay kits. Aorta homogenate malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Untreated hypercholesterolemic group HC showed it suppressed SOD and GPx activities, in addition to significant (p<0.001) elevation of MDA concentration. The atherogenic group treated with Trihoney demonstrated significant (p<0.01) enhanced activities of both SOD and GPx compared to HC group. Treatment with atorvastatin significantly (p<0.001) enhanced GPx activity as compared to all other treated and untreated groups. Trihoney supplemented group, and atorvastatin treated group demonstrated significant (p<0.001) reduction in MDA concentration compared to the HC group. Conclusions: Trihoney has the potentials to enhance antioxidant enzyme activity and ameliorates the oxidative stress in the atherosclerotic aorta

Honey and its role in Medical disorders

Honey has been used as food and medicine by ancient and modern world, and by all traditions and civilisations. Modern medicine has accepted honey as therapeutic agent for diversity of clinical ailments. Honey is a source of important macro and micronutrients, and a rich source of calories. Honey possesses modulating effects on most of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Natural honey can exert hepatoprotective effects both in term of hepatic function as well as by preserving liver structure. Natural honey proven for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer effects, and has been tried for wound healing, eye disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, neurological disorders, and fertility disorders. This review discusses the current knowledge for the important therapeutic role of honey

Evaluation of acute and sub-acute oral toxicity of the aqueous extract of aquilaria malaccensis leaves in sprague dawley rats

Aquilaria malaccensis or commonly known as ‘gaharu’ is a species of Aquilaria genus and belongs to the Thymelaeaceae family. It is widely distributed in Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Borneo Islands. Traditionally, its leaves were used to relieve bruises and studies have shown that they function as an antioxidant, aphrodisiac, and tranquilizer. Despite its proven beneficial medicinal properties, information regarding its toxicity is limited. Therefore, we performed a safety evaluation on the aqueous A. malaccensis leaves extract (AMAE) in Sprague Dawley rats. The assessment of acute toxicity based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Guideline 420 revealed that AMAE did not influence mortality, clinical appearance, body weight gain, or necropsy findings at a dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. In the sub-acute toxicity, all doses did not significantly modify the body weight and food and water intake. In male rats treated with 2000 mg/kg, there was a significant reduction in the relative weight of liver. Not only that, an increase in alkaline phosphatase and alanine transaminase was also observed in different groups among the female rats. A significant decrease in the creatinine level was also seen among male rats administered with different doses of AMAE. In both sexes, histopathological analysis had shown abnormalities in the liver and kidney of rats treated at the dose of 2000 mg/kg. In conclusion, the 50% lethal dose (LD50) of AMAE was estimated to be greater than 2000 mg/kg. In sub-acute duration, the findings suggested that AMAE administered orally is slightly toxic at higher doses (2000 mg/kg) and could provoke functional and structural changes in the kidney and liver of rats. Thus, the extract should be used with caution

Trihoney suppresses soluble adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) in hypercholesterolemic atherosclerotic rabbits: a comparative study with atorvastatin

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease and high serum cholesterol proven as the main trigger of its pathogenesis. Development of atherosclerotic lesions is closely related to the level of serum cholesterol. Expression of adhesion molecules has been correlated with the extent of aortic lesions. Serum circulating forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) have been detected in high levels in vascular inflammatory diseases. Honey has been shown to diminish the expression of VCAM-1 in vascular endothelium. Thirty-six male New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits were grouped into: normal diet (C), normal diet with 0.6 g/kg/day of Trihoney (C+H), 1% cholesterol diet (HCD), 1% cholesterol diet with 0.3 g/kg/day of Trihoney (HCD+H1), 1% cholesterol diet with 0.6 g/kg/day of Trihoney (HCD+H2) and 1% cholesterol diet with 2 mg/kg/day of atorvastatin (HCD+At). Animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks of treatment. Serum was analysed for lipids, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta were quantified. Serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were significantly elevated in the HCD group when compared to the control groups. Groups Supplemented with Trihoney showed a significant suppression of serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in comparison to the HCD group. Serum ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 exhibited a significant positive correlation with serum cholesterol. Serum VCAM-1 showed a significant positive correlation with the percentage of aortic lesions. Results of this study showed that Trihoney has anti-atherosclerotic potential through suppression of adhesion molecules. Trihoney was comparable to atorvastatin and may be suggested as an adjuvant remedy for protection against atherosclerosis

Histopathological changes in chronic low dose organic arsenic exposure in rats kidney

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to environmental arsenic remains a major public health challenge. Human is exposed to arsenic from groundwater as a result of anthropogenic activities. Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic has been linked with multiple medical conditions. Therefore, many agricultural countries have shifted the use of inorganic to the organic-based herbicide, monosodium methylarsonate (MSMA). However, with increasing numbers of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu), chronic exposure to herbicide is believed as one of the potential explanations. To date, studies on chronic effects of organic arsenic on the kidney are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of chronic oral organic arsenic exposure on the rat’s kidney. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into treatment and its corresponding control groups according to the duration of observations either 2, 4 or 6 months. Both groups were subdivided into three subgroups, each with six animals per subgroup. The treatment groups were given oral MSMA at 63.20 mg/kg body weight, while control groups received distilled water. At the end of each duration, blood was collected for the renal profile, urine for neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) marker, and kidney tissues were harvested for arsenic level measurement and histological analysis. RESULTS: Arsenic level and urinary NGAL were higher in all treatment groups than its corresponding control groups. Histological findings showed progressive pathological changes in the glomeruli and proximal tubules. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic oral exposure to low dose organic arsenic has demonstrated evidence of kidney injury in rats

Anti-inflammatory effects of trihoney in hypercholesterolemic atherosclerotic rabbits: a comparative study with atorvastatin

Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia has been proven as a main pathogenic trigger for pathogenesis of atherosclero- sis. Atherosclerosis characterised by chronic inflammatory process and increased expression of inflammatory mark- ers. In this study; Trihoney (a combination of three types of natural honey namely: Trigona, mellifera, and Dorsata) was investigated for its anti-inflammatory effect in hypercholesterolemic atherosclerotic rabbits. Methods: Thirty male New Zealand white rabbits (NZW) were grouped into: normal diet (C), normal diet with 0.6g/kg/day of Tri- honey (C+H), 1% cholesterol diet (HCD), 1% cholesterol diet with 0.6g/kg/day of Trihoney (HCD+H), and 1% cholesterol diet with 2mg/kg/day of atorvastatin (HCD+At.). After 12 weeks of starting the experiment, animals were sacrificed and serum analysed for homocysteine and pro-atherogenic inflammatory markers such as: interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Fasting serum glucose was analysed to assess gly- caemic status. Results: Trihoney treated group showed significantly lower (p<0.05) serum IL-1β and IL-6 compared to the HCD group. Trihoney supplementation resulted in significant (p<0.001) reduction of serum TNF-α compared to HCD group. Experimental group HCD had serum homocysteine level comparable to that of the control groups with- out any significant difference despite little increase in the mean value. Trihoney treated group had serum homocys- teine comparable to the controls. All experimental groups showed fasting serum glucose comparable to the control. Conclusion: This study showed that Trihoney has an anti-inflammatory function and may be used as an adjuvant to statins for management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases even in diabetic subjects. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Atorvastatin, Inflammatory markers, Trihone