Many employed chemicals in industries have estrogenic hormone effects on organisms, and these are called as environmental estrogens. Environmental estrogens have adverse effects on development and function of reproductive organs of the birds. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the best known environmental estrogens widely found in plastic products. In this study, we injected BPA and the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) in ovo and then examined and compared the effects of those on the uteri (shell gland) of the adult hens by histological methods. Five groups have been designed in the current study. Only vehicle substance was given in ovo to the control group and BPA (67 or 134 μg/g egg) and DES (0.02 or 0.2 μg/g egg) were administered in the experimental groups. Tissue specimens were taken from uteri of hens at 21 weeks of age, prior to the laying period. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) was immunohistochemically stained. It was observed that the hatching proportion in BPA (67 μg and 134 μg/g) was lesser than the other groups (P<0.01). Uterine tubular glandular density and thickness of tunica mucosa were found to have reduced (P<0.01) in BPA (134 μg/g) and DES (0.2 μg/g) groups, in comparison with those of the control and the other experimental groups. Uterine gland epithelium revealed positive immunoreaction for ERα. These findings suggested that administration of BPA and DES at high doses affected embryonic development in a negative way, and this adverse effect was seen less in adult period.
Spirulina platensis is a microalga that may be a source of antioxidants that can reduce body fat deposition. Consumption of a high fat diet produces elevated blood lipid levels, inflammation and apoptosis. We investigated the possible effects of S. platensis on the blood lipid profile, and liver inflammation and apoptosis in rats fed a high fat diet. Sixty-four young male rats were divided into eight equal groups. The control group was fed a basic diet. The experimental groups were fed a diet for 60 days that was prepared by mixing variable amounts of 43% vegetable oil and 10% cholesterol with or without 3% S. platensis mixed with the basal diet. Blood and liver tissue samples were collected from each animal. Serum samples were used to analyze lipid parameters, total antioxidant status and total oxidant status. iNOS and eNOS were determined by immunohistochemistry. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis to investigate a possible connection between inflammation and apoptosis in the liver tissue. The relations between fat deposition and liver degeneration were assessed by Sirius red staining and alpha-smooth muscle actin immunostaining. S. platensis reduced serum HDL-C, LDL-C and triglyceride, increased HDL-C levels in rats fed a high fat diet to near control levels, and reduced iNOS levels and increased eNOS levels in the liver tissue compared to vegetable oil and cholesterol treated groups. The apoptotic index was reduced in the groups that were fed a high fat or a basic diet when supplemented with S. platensis.
Ghrelin is a peptide hormone which plays important role in maintaining growth hormone release and energy homeostasis in vertebrates. Spirulina platensis (SP) has antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects due to its ingredients. In this study we aimed to investigate the effects of SP on the testicular structure and relation between ghrelin and testosterone in the testis of rats fed a high fat diet (HFD). Sixty four young adult male rats were used and divided to 8 equal groups. Experimental groups received addition of 10% cholesterol (CHL), 43% hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) and 3% SP alone or in combination to basal diet while the control group received only basal diet. Serum ghrelin and testosterone levels were measured with ELISA. Receptors for ghrelin and androgen were detected with immunohistochemistry. For histomorphometric investigation, tubulus seminiferus, intertubular area, tubulus seminiferus lumen, Leydig cell nucleus, Sertoli cell nucleus, germ cell nucleus, spermatocyte nucleus and elongated spermatid volume densities were determined stereologically. Serum ghrelin level was increased especially in HVO and CHL combination group compared to the control while serum ghrelin levels were close to control levels in SP-received groups. Ghrelin receptor level was increased in tubulus seminiferus with HVO+CHL administration but this effect was, however, limited in HVO+CHL and SP challenged groups. HVO+CHL administration caused a significant decrease in Leydig cell nucleus volume density, as well as in all SP-received groups, compared to the control. Significantly increased spermatocyte nucleus volume density in cholesterol-receiving groups was decreased to control level with SP alone and its combinations.
The ankaferd blood stopper and microporous polysaccharide hemospheres reduced epidural fibrosis and arachnoideal involvement after laminectomy in rats.
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