The therapeutic properties of natural honey once considered a form of folk or preventive medicine. It is important for the treatment of acute and chronic free radical mediated diseases and toxicity. Oxidative stress can play a key role in cadmium-induced dysfunction. The aim of this work was to study the effect of natural honey on cadmium-induced liver and kidney damage. A total of 30 adult male rats were divided into three groups. Group I animals served as control were injected daily I.P. by 1 ml saline. Group II animals were injected daily I.P. with 0.5mg/kg cadmium chloride dissolved in 1 ml saline for 4 weeks. Animals of group III were treated with 0.5 mg /kg cadmium chloride I.P. and 0.05ml of natural honey mixed with water orally concurrently for 4 weeks. Liver function (SGOT),(SGPT), (ALP) and kidney function (creatinine and urea nitrogen) tests were measured. In addition lipid peroxidation,reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were estimated in liver and kidney tissues samples. Light and transmission electron microscopic examination were used for histological changes. The results revealed that treatment with Cd caused marked elevation in the level of free radicals (lipid peroxidation) and kidney and liver enzymes, and a decline in GPx activity and GSH level. Administration of honey with Cd induced improvement in all examined parameters. On the other hand, light microscopic examination of kidney cortex of Cd treated group revealed swelling of the cells lining the convoluted tubules and vaculation of their cytoplasm. Variable degrees of glomerular degeneration were present. The liver showed different degrees of cell degeneration, necrosis, dilatation and congestion of blood vessels. Results obtained by EM examination revealed that there were affection of mitochondria and partial loss of microvilli of some kidney tubules. Furthermore, electron dense mitochondrea, depletion of glycogen granules in a rarified vaculated cytoplasm were seen in the hepatocytes. It is noticed that concurrent administration of honey with cadmium improved histological changes in both kidney and liver by light and electron microscope. It could be concluded that honey via its antioxidant activity has the ability to protect against cadmiuminduced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

The study aimed to compare the histological features of Leydig cells and macrophages in the testicular interstitium of obstructive versus nonobstructive azoospermia. Thirty-nine azoospermic men undergoing testicular sperm extraction during intracytoplasmic sperm injection were allocated into obstructive azoospermia group (GI) and nonobstructive azoospermia group (GII) which was subdivided into Sertoli cell-only syndrome (GIIA), germ cell arrest (GIIB) and hypospermatogenesis (GIIC) subgroups. Serum LH, FSH and testosterone levels were measured. Ultrastructural changes and the mean number of CD68-positive cells were estimated in the different groups. In GIIA, Leydig cells' processes came in contact with macrophages and showed smooth endoplasmic reticulum dilatation. In GIIB, Leydig cells showed apoptotic changes. Macrophages were commonly encountered in their vicinity demonstrating large number of lysosomes. In GIIC, Leydig cells showed euchromatic nuclei. Macrophages showed expulsion of their lysosomal contents in the interstitium surrounded by apoptotic bodies. The mean count of total CD68-positive macrophages was higher in cases of obstructive azoospermia with nonsignificant differences compared to nonobstructive azoospermia groups. Significant increase in FSH level was detected in GIIA compared to GI. It is concluded that structural interactions might take place between Leydig cells and macrophages in the interstitial tissue of azoospermic men.

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