Vitamin E against oxidative damage caused by formaldehyde in frontal cortex and hippocampus: Biochemical and histological studies

Formaldehyde (FA) can cause severe central nervous system impairment. But, there are only a few studies about biochemical and histopathological changes of frontal cortex and hippocampal tissue caused by FA toxicity. The aim of our study was to investigate these changes occurring after chronic formaldehyde toxicity in frontal cortex and hippocampal tissues, and protective effect of Vitamin E (vit E) against oxidative damage. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups: (1) control, (2) treated with FA (FAt), and (3) treated with FA and vit E (FAt + vit E) groups. After the treatment, the animals were sacrificed and frontal cortex and hippocampal tissues were removed for biochemical and histopathological investigation. FA significantly increased tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels and also decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities in frontal cortex and hippocampal tissue compared to control. Vit E treatment decreased MDA and PC levels and prevented inhibition of SOD and CAT enzymes in the tissues. In the FAt group, the neurons of both tissues became extensively dark and degenerated with picnotic nuclei. The morphology of neurons in FAt + vit E group was protected well, but not as neurons of the control group. The number of neurons in frontal cortex and hippocampal tissue of FAt group was significantly less than both control and FAt + vit E groups. It was concluded that vit E treatment might be beneficial in preventing FA-induced oxidative frontal cortex and hippocampal tissue damage, therefore, shows potential for clinical use. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Histopathologic examination of the effects of cyclosporin A alone and the combined therapy with prednisolone on lung: An experimental study

[No abstract available

The effects of the inhaled formaldehyde during the early postnatal period in the hippocampus of rats: A morphological and immunohistochemical study

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of formaldehyde (FA) gas inhalation during the early postnatal period on the heat shock proteins 70 kDa (Hsp70) synthesis and morphological changes in the hippocampus in developmental process of rats and to determine whether the changes was reversible or not. Neonatal rats were exposed to 0 (control), 6 and 12 ppm FA gas throughout 30 day period following the birth. After the exposure to FA, some animals from each concentration group were decapitated at the day 30. Despite cessation of FA exposure, other groups were left for decapitation until the days of 60th and 90th. The brain samples were stained with Hsp70 as immunohistochemically and H&E. In the samples, pyramidal cell layer in the hippocampus was examined. Hsp70 (+) neurons were found in the hippocampus of rats that inhaled FA on the 30th day. Furthermore, a considerable increase on the count of pyknotic neurons in these groups. But, on the other hand, in the 60th and 90th days, Hsp70 immunostaining and the count of pyknotic cells were found to be diminishing in FA inhaled groups. In conclusion, inhalation of FA gas in cytotoxic concentrations during early postnatal period causes increase in Hsp70 synthesis and damages the rat's hippocampus. Diminishment or disappearance of these negative changes in the 60th and 90th days indicates a reversible change in rats

Effects of estradiol benzoate on the ultrastructure of the pinealocyte in the ovariectomized rat

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ovariectomy and ovariectomy followed by estradiol benzoate administration on the ultrastructure of pinealocytes in female rat. Design: For this purpose 15 female Wistar rats were used. Animals were divided into three groups. Group I and II were designated as sham-ovariectomized (control) and ovariectomized, respectively. Group III was ovariectomized and daily injected with estradiol benzoate for one month. At the end of the experiment, all animals were anesthetized with ketamine for fixation by vascular perfusion. Pineal glands of groups I, II and III were removed. All specimens were examined by electron microscopy. Results: Ovariectomy caused an increase of lipid droplets, mitochondria and ribosomes. Rough endoplasmic reticulum was extensive in the cytoplasm. Estradiol administration to ovariectomized rats resulted in formation of less extensive lipid droplets, mitochondria and ribosomes compared to pinealocyte ultrastructure of both control and ovariectomized rats. Extensiveness of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the pinealocytes of estradiol-administrated rats was similar to that in controls. Conclusions: The results confirm relationship between the pineal gland and gonads in the rat and it has been suggested that estradiol benzoate reverses the ultrastructural changes, which indicate increased cell activation, occurring in the pinealocytes after ovariectomy

The effects of photoperiod on testes in rat: A morphometric and immunohistochemical study

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of photoperiod on testes in rat. Design: For this purpose 21 male Wistar rats were used. Animals were divided into three groups. Control rats in group I were kept under 12 hrs light: 12 hrs dark conditions (12L: 12D) for 10 weeks. Animals in group II were exposed to long photoperiods (18L: 6D), while rats in group III were exposed to short photoperiods (6L: 18D) for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all animals were killed by decapitation and blood samples were obtained. Serum testosterone levels were determined with the use of a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The testes of all rats were removed and weighed. Testicular tissue was processed semiquantitative evaluation of immunohistochemical testosterone staining. Intensity of immunostaining was determined on a scale between 0 (no staining) and 5 (heavy staining). For morphometric comparison, diameters of seminiferous tubules in each group were measured. Results: In rats exposed to long photoperiods, testicular weights, diameters of seminiferous tubules and serum testosterone levels were significantly increased as compared to those in control rats. Whereas, exposure of rats to short photoperiods resulted in significantly decrease of testicular weights, diameters of seminiferous tubules and serum testosterone levels as compared to those in control rats and rats maintained in long photoperiods. Immunostaining of testosterone was moderate (3+) in control rats, heavy (5+) in rats exposed to long photoperiods and minimal (1+) in rats exposed to short photoperiods. Conclusions: The results of our study indicate that testicular functions increase after exposure to long photoperiods and decrease after exposure to short photoperiods

Light and electron microscopic examination of pineal gland in rats exposed to constant light and constant darkness

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to examine the pineal gland of rats exposed to constant light and darkness at light and electron microscopic level. DESIGN: For this purpose 18 male Wistar rats were used. Animals were divided into three groups. Rats in group I (Control) were kept under 12 hrs light: 12 hrs dark conditions. Rats in group II were exposed to constant darkness, while rats in group III were exposed to constant light for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all animals were killed by decapitation. The pineal glands of rats were removed, then processed for light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: In our study, extensive number of pinealocytes was observed in the structure of pineal gland of rats exposed to constant darkness and some of the observed pinealocytes were determined to contain double nucleoli. Furthermore, mitochondria and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of pinealocytes were increased and rough endoplasmic reticulum sacs were enlarged in this group. Whereas, in rats those exposed to the constant light, a decrease in pinealocyte intensity was associated with increase in the connective tissue between parenchymal cells. Additionally, mitochondria and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of cells were decreased. CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the pinealocyte cell activity of rats exposed to constant darkness was increased but decreased in rats exposed to constant light. Copyright © Neuroendocrinology Letters

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien\u2013Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9\ub72 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4\u20137) and 7 (6\u20138) days respectively (P < 0\ub7001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6\ub76 versus 8\ub70 per cent; P = 0\ub7499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0\ub790, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub755 to 1\ub746; P = 0\ub7659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34\ub77 versus 39\ub75 per cent; major 3\ub73 versus 3\ub74 per cent; P = 0\ub7110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients