43 research outputs found
Association of maternal pancreatic function and foetal growth in rats treated with DFU, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor
Constitutive (COX-1) and inducible (COX-2) cyclooxygenase isoforms have been
detected in various mammalian tissues. Their activity is blocked by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that may induce various side reactions. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of DFU, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, on exocrine and endocrine pancreatic function and the immunoexpression of both COX isoforms in maternal and foetal rat pancreases. The compound was administered to pregnant Wistar rats once daily from the 8th to the 21st day of gestation.
Glucose level and amylase activity were determined in the maternal sera.
Maternal and foetal pancreases were examined histologically. Immunoexpression of COX-1 and COX-2 was also evaluated. Both biochemical parameters, as well as the histological structure of the pancreas were undisturbed in the dams and their
foetuses. The maternal glucose level was found to be an important factor for
foetal growth. Strong cytoplasmic COX-1 immunostaining was observed in acinar
secretory cells, whereas in islets the immune reaction was weak. Endocrine cells also revealed strong cytoplasmic COX-2 staining in the maternal and foetal pancreases. Acinar cells exhibited nuclear reaction, which was strong in the foetal but weak in the maternal pancreases. No differences in COX immunoexpression were found between the DFU-exposed and the control groups in either mothers or foetuses. It should be stressed that DFU administered throughout mid and late
pregnancy in rats did not change maternal or foetal pancreatic morphology or immunoexpression of either of the main COX isoforms in the organ
Immunoexpression of constitutive and inducible cyclooxygenase isoforms in distinguishing and accessory structures of synovial joints in rat foetuses
Joint formation is a developmental process regulated by various factors including
bone morphogenetic proteins, transforming and growth factors, etc. Recently,
a high expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms in the foetal cartilaginous
elements was also revealed. On the other hand, various joint and
skeletal abnormalities were seen in laboratory animal and human offspring,
exposed in utero to several COX inhibitors. Immunoexpression of constitutive
(COX-1) and inducible (COX-2) cyclooxygenase isoforms was evaluated in various
articular structures of untreated and unfamiliar 21-day-old male rat foetuses.
Both COX isoforms were detected in the articular cartilage and joint capsule,
as well as in the intra-articular disc of the temporomandibular joint and
meniscus of the knee joint. COX-1 immunostaining was revealed in the anterior
and posterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint and the labrum of the hip
and shoulder, whereas COX-2 immunoreactivity in those structures was not
found. It could be concluded that both constitutive and inducible COX isoforms
are physiologically expressed in various structures of synovial joints in rat
foetuses at the end of prenatal development
Sebaceous glands - unusual histological finding in the uterine cervix
Sebaceous glands have been extremely rare findings in the female genital system.
Excluding the vulva and recent findings, very few cases have been described.
The origin of the lesions remains a topic of speculation. However, it
appears that prolonged irritation induces a metaplastic response in the ectocervical
epithelium. A new case of sebaceous glands in the ectocervix of
a 46-year-old woman is reported. The lesions were unexpectedly found in
a hysterectomy specimen. The procedure was carried out for multiple leiomyomas
of the uterine corpus. Histological examination revealed three mature sebaceous
glands located distally to the transformation zone, which opened directly
onto the surface epithelium. It could be concluded that sebaceous glands
in the ectocervix are rare lesions of unclear origin and low clinical significance.
However, the glands could potentially be associated with sebaceous carcinoma
of that anatomical site
Blue nevus of the endocervix
The mucosa of the uterine cervix is normally devoid of melanocytes; therefore,
melanin-containing lesions are very rare in this site. A new case of
a common blue nevus in the cervix of a 57-year-old woman is reported. The
lesion was an incidental finding in a total hysterectomy specimen performed
for atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Gross and histological examination revealed
minute dark macula on the mucosa of the posterior aspect of the
endocervical canal, composed of loose conglomerates of spindle-shaped and
dendritic cells located superficially within the stroma, containing multiple
brownish granules, which exhibited positive immunostaining for HMB45 and
melan A. Although the blue nevi seem to be lesions of low clinical significance,
they require careful differential diagnosis with malignant melanoma,
especially in scanty endocervical curettage or cervical biopsy specimens.
Folia Morphol 2010; 69, 1: 62-6
Intrapancreatic accessory spleen
A case of accessory spleen located in the tail of the pancreas in a stillbirth male foetus is reported. The congenital anomaly was revealed at autopsy. The intrapancreatic
spleen was well demarcated and was composed of red and white pulp; however, same pancreatic ducts were intermingled with the splenic parenchyma. As well as the intrapancreatic lesion another minute accessory spleen was also found at the hilum of the proper organ. Since a lack of morphological features of trisomy 13 syndrome were found in the foetus, the ectopic spleens were regarded as incidental findings
The activity and immunoexpression of cathepsin D in rat male reproductive organs
Cathepsin D is a cysteine endopeptidase that belongs to the lysosomal enzyme
family. The aim of the study was to evaluate the enzyme immunoexpression and
activity in selected male genital organs in mature Wistar rats. The activity of
cathepsin D was measured spectrophotometrically in homogenates of the testis,
epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate. Immunohistochemical staining was
also performed in the ductus deferens. Enzyme activity was found in the following
sequence: testis>epididymis>dorsal prostatic lobe>seminal
vesicle>lateral prostatic lobe>ventral prostatic lobe. Although there were differences
in enzyme activity between various organs of the male reproductive
system, cathepsin D immunoreactivity was seen exclusively in the Sertoli and
Leydig cells in the testis
Anatomical variances and dimensions of the superior orbital fissure and foramen ovale in adults
The aim of the study was the retrospective morphological analysis of selected
structures of the middle cranial fossa, i.e. foramen ovale and superior
orbital fissure, in relation to the external head and cranial diameters in
adults from the Lublin region (Poland). The study was performed on data
collected during computed tomography examinations of 60 individuals
(age 20–30 years), without any cranial or brain abnormalities. Based on
the post-processing reconstructions, 3-dimensional views of the skull and
head were obtained. The length and width of both structures, as well as
thickness of the frontal, temporal, and occipital squamae, were measured.
The morphology of the ovale foramina and superior orbital fissures were
checked. The length and width of the skull and head were the only parameters
that significantly differed between males and females. The thickness
of the frontal and temporal squama was insignificantly lower in males
than in females. Almond and oval shapes were the most typical for the
foramen ovale. The superior orbital fissure was found as a wide form —
with or without accessory spine originating from its lower margin or as
a laterally narrowed form. The length and width of the foramen ovale were
insignificantly higher in males than in females. The same results were found
for the area of the right superior orbital fissure. The thickness of the frontal
and occipital squamae influenced the thickness of the temporal squama.
The analysed individuals had asymmetrical, oval, or almond-shape ovale
foramina. Unlike the seldom visible laterally narrowed form of the superior
orbital fissure, a wide form with or without accessory spine was the most
commonly observed. The diameters of both superior orbital fissures and
ovale foramina indicated the asymmetry of the neurocranium. (Folia Morphol
2011; 70, 4: 263–271
Morphology of the foramen magnum in young Eastern-European adults
Background: The foramen magnum is an important anatomical opening in the base of the skull through which the posterior cranial fossa communicates with the vertebral canal. It is also related to a number of pathological conditions including Chiari malformations, various tumours, and occipital dysplasias. The aim of the study was to evaluate the morphology of the foramen magnum in adult individuals in relation to sex. Material and methods: The morphology of the foramen magnum was evaluated using 3D computer tomography images in 313 individuals (142 male, 171 female) aged 20â30 years.Results: The mean values of the foramen length (37.06 ± 3.07 vs. 35.47 ± 2.60 mm), breadth (32.98 ± 2.78 vs. 30.95 ± 2.71 mm) and area (877.40 ± 131.64 vs. 781.57 ± 93.74 mm2) were significantly higher in males than in females. A significant, positive correlation was found between foramen length and breadth. Significant correlations were reported for breadth and area of the foramen magnum and corresponding external cranial diameters in females. Round as well as longitudinal and horizontal oval-like types of the foramen shape were established according to the breadth/length index of the structure. All the cranial and foramen measurements were significantly higher in individuals with round-like type of the foramen magnum. Conclusions: There was a sexual dimorphism of the foramen magnum among the examined individuals. It was related mainly to its linear diameters and area, not to the shape. Unlike males, female skulls had higher correlation between the examined parameters of the foramen and proper external cranial measurements, which indicates more homogeneous growth in girls
Early postnatal development of the lumbar vertebrae in male Wistar rats: double staining and digital radiological studies
The aim of the study was to evaluate the physiological developmental changes of male ratsâ lumbar vertebrae during the first 22 days after birth. Morphology and mineralisation of lumbar vertebrae were evaluated using double-staining and digital radiography system, which allowed vertebral width and optical density to be determined. Pup weight, crown-rump length, body mass index and vertebral width increased during postnatal period and significantly correlated with their age. Bone mineralisation, as measured by optical density, did not show any significant differences. The complete fusion of the primary ossification centres had a cranio- -caudal direction and started on day 19 after parturition but was incomplete by day 22. It could be concluded that, unlike significant age-related increase of vertebral size, mineralisation was only slightly elevated during evaluated postnatal period. The method described is supplementary to alizarin red S staining as it provides both qualitative and quantitative data on mineralisation in a similar manner to micro computed tomography but does not allow 3 dimensional and microarchitecture examination
Immunoexpression of constitutive and inducible cyclo-oxygenase isoforms in the rat foetal and maternal digestive tract
Cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which catalyses the conversion of arachidonic acid
to prostaglandin endoperoxide and prostanoids, is widely expressed in mammalian
organs. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immunoexpression
of the constitutive and inducible cyclo-oxygenase isoforms (COX-1 and COX-2
respectively) in the oesophagus, stomach and the small and large bowels of
untreated rat dams and foetuses on gestational day 21. The localisation of
the COX isoforms was similar in the maternal and foetal organs, although
the intensity of the reaction for COX-2 was stronger in the foetuses. Cytoplasmic
COX-1 immunostaining was found in myocytes of the muscularis
propria, muscularis mucosae and the blood vessels. It was also positive in
the endothelial cells, scattered stromal cells of the lamina propria and the
ganglion cells of the nerve plexus in the bowels. Apart from the keratinised
layer, a strong reaction was revealed in the stratified squamous epithelium
of the oesophagus and forestomach. Negative or weakly positive staining
was found in the mucus-secreting cells covering the surface, gastric pits
and pyloric glands, as well as in the parietal cells and the chief cells. Weakly
positive COX-1 immunostaining was observed in epithelial cells of the small
intestine crypts, but in some cases enterocytes and goblet cells covering
villi were also positive. In the colonic mucosa weak COX-1 staining was
typical of the absorptive, and goblet cells. The COX-2 immunostaining was
nuclear and/or cytoplasmic. An inconsistent positive reaction was seen in
the muscle of the muscularis mucosae, muscularis propria and the blood
vessels. Positive staining was also found in scattered stromal cells of the
lamina propria and adventitia and the ganglion cells. Weak nuclear staining
was found in the stratified squamous epithelium of the oesophagus and
forestomach. Unlike the strong foetal reactivity in the epithelial cells of the
glandular stomach, a negative or weakly positive reaction was seen in the
maternal parietal and/or mucous-secreting surface stomach cells. Some epithelial
cells of the crypts both in the small and large bowel were also COX-2
positive. In conclusion, constitutive and inducible COX isoforms were detected in the digestive tract of pregnant female and in foetuses. COX-1
was the predominant isoform in both the adult and foetal organs. (Folia
Morphol 2008; 67: 24-31)