Aim of work: To demonstrate the bleomycin induced histological changes in the lung and the possible protective and/or therapeutic effect of stem cell therapy. Materials and methods: Study was carried out on 36 adult male albino rats, classified into 4 groups: group I (control), group II (bleomycin treated group), group III (early stem cell treated group: immediately after bleomycin), group IV (late stem cell treated group: 7 days after bleomycin). Sections were taken at the 14 th day of experiment. stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, Masson’s trichrome, immunohistochemichal stains for α -SMA & PCNA. Sections were examined by light & immunofluroscent microscopy. Area percent of collagen fibers, area percent & optical density of α -SMA immunopositive cells were measured as well as the number of H&E and PCNA stained pneumocytes type II was counted. Results: Group II showed, thickening of septa, extravasation of blood, dividing pneumocytes type II cells with acinar formation, cellular infiltration, fibroblast cells, almost complete loss of normal lung architecture in certain fields, consolidation and replacement of the lung tissue with fibrous tissue in other fields. Restoring of lung tissue with significant decrease in mean area % of collagen fibers, α -SMA immunopositive cells were detected in group III. Conclusions: Early treatment with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) immediately after bleomycin administration showed a significant reduction in fibrotic changes, however the late treatment with BMSCs (7 days) after bleomycin administration showed non significant results.

Combined reduced prednisolone dose with gemfibrozil potentiates its anti-inflammatory activity. This could be a target in the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder that is symptomized by erythema and scaling. Recently, imiquimod (IMQ) has been used to induce skin inflammation in mice to create a psoriasis model. Aim of the Work: To assess the possible preventive potential of acarbose on psoriasis-like skin inflammation induced by IMQ in adult male mice, and to compare it to calcipotriol/betamethasone applied on the same psoriasis mouse model. Materials and Methods: Thirty four BALB/c mice were classified as the following groups: I(Control), II(IMQ): IMQ-model with topically applied Aldara cream, ІII(Acarbose): IMQ-model treated with Glucobay orally, ІV(Calcipotriol/Betamethasone): IMQ-model treated with Calcipoheal-Cort ointment and V(Acarbose+Calcipotriol/Betamethasone): IMQ-model treated with both Glucobay and Calcipoheal-Cort combined. Haematoxylin & Eosin stain and S100 immunohistochemical staining were performed along with electron microscopic study of skin sections. Mean epidermal thickness and mean number of S100 immuno-positive keratinocytes were measured and measurements were statistically analyzed. Results: Group II mice showed psoriasis-like signs of skin inflammation. Groups III and IV mice showed less signs of inflammation which were markedly attenuated by combination of both of the treatments. Group II demonstrated significant acanthosis and abundant infiltrates of inflammatory cells in the dermis and significantly numerous S100 immuno-positive keratinocytes. Groups III and IV showed significant improvement of these changes which were markedly diminished in group V as it showed almost normal histological structure. Conclusion: Acarbose had an overall beneficial effect on psoriasis-mimicking mouse model triggered by IMQ, almost comparable to that demonstrated by calcipotriol/betamethasone. However, combination of both treatments exerted a more powerful therapeutic effect.