Introduction: Aspartame is a widely used artificial non-nutritive sweetener, which replaced sucrose in foods for enhancing flavor while reducing calories. It was confirmed that aspartame was a multipotential carcinogenic agent increases the risk of lymphoma and neurological tumors. Aim of the work: This work is aimed to evaluate the effect of aspartame on the structure of the sciatic nerve and the possible role of ozone therapy. Material and methods: The present study was carried out on 30 adult male wister albino rats divided into three groups: control (I), aspartame(II) and ozone and aspartame treated (III) groups. Group (II) received aspartame (250 mg/kg/d) dissolved in distilled water and administered by gastric tube for 3 months. Group (III) received aspartame as in Group II, then received an ozone dose of 1.1 mg/kg/d intraperitoneal (IP) for 30 days. Rats were anesthetized and sciatic nerves were processed for light, electron microscope, morphometric and Real time-PCR analysis. Results: The sciatic nerve of aspartame group showed loss of regular architecture, separation of myelin lamellae with splitting of myeline sheath. Schwann cells appeared with vacuolated cytoplasm and collagen fibrils could be seen in the endoneurium. Immunohistochemically, there was decrease in expression of myeline basic protein (MBP) in myeline sheath and decrease in axon/fiber ratio (g ratio) statistically. Apparent structural and histomorphological improvement were noticed in ozone group. Conclusion: Aspartame induced histopathological changes in sciatic nerve. Our data suggests that ozone therapy has an important role in sciatic nerve regeneration by increasing the expression of neurotrophic and angiogenic factors establishing more favorable environment for nerve regeneration.

Cyclophosphamide, a cytotoxic alkylating agent, is an extensively used antineoplastic agent. Cardiotoxicity is considered as one of the limiting side effects of its use, which is attributed to oxidative stress. Zingiber officinale is powerful antioxidants against free radicals and oxidative attacks. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible protective effects of Z. officinale against cyclophosphamide induced cardio-toxicity in adult male albino rats. We used 30 adult male albino rats, divided into five groups; Group Ia (-ve control), Group Ib (+ve control), Group II (Z. officinale treated group; 200 mg/kg/day orally), Group III (cyclophosphamide treated group; single dose of 150 mg/kg I.P.), and Group IV (cyclophosphamide and Z. officinale treated group; rats received Z. officinale as before followed by single dose of cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg)). At the end of experiment, we studied biochemical parameters: oxidative markers (MDA, GSH and Catalase), and Troponin i. The heart tissue was examined by light and electron microscope to evaluate histo-pathological changes and immunehistochemical technique for localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the cytoplasm of cardiomyocytes. The result showed increase in troponin I and disturbance of oxidative markers in cyclophosphamide treated group compared to control groups. Whereas these results had significantly improved in cyclophosphamide and Z. officinale treated group. Light and electron microscopic examination revealed disruption in the heart tissue histo-architecture in cyclophosphamide group with strong positive cytoplasmic iNOS immunoreaction in numerous cardiomyocytes by histochemical examination unlike that in cyclophosphamide and Z. officinale treated group which returned near normal. In conclusion, cyclophosphamide has a cardiotoxic effect which can be prevented by Z. officinale supplementation. Further studies about cyclophosphamide toxic effect on the heart and about Z. officinale role in protection are recommended.

Dimethoate is a widely used organophosphate insecticide known to be toxic to the pancreas. The aim of this study is to detect the possible protective effects of the fenugreek seed ethanolic extract on the biochemical, histological, and ultra-structural abnormalities induced by dimethoate chronic exposure in the pancreas of adult male rats. The study was conducted on 50 adult male albino rats that were divided equally into 5 groups: (group I) negative control, (group II) vehicle control group, (group III) fenugreek-treated group that was given 400 mg/kg ethanolic fenugreek seed extract once daily, (group IV) dimethoate group received 20 mg/kg/day dimethoate, and (group V) dimethoate- + fenugreek-treated group received a combination of dimethoate and fenugreek in the same previous doses. Dimethoate treatment caused a significant increase in serum glucose, amylase, and lipase levels and a significant decrease in serum insulin. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation and pro-fibrotic cytokine (TGF-β1) together with a significant reduction of the antioxidant {reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD)} activities and the anti-inflammatory (IL-4) in pancreatic tissues was also recorded. There was a histological and ultra-structural evidence of pancreatic acinar and islet cell injury. The recorded abnormalities were reversed in dimethoate+fenugreek treated group indicating that fenugreek ethanolic extract can serve as an antidote for dimethoate-induced pancreatic insult.

Background: Sofosbuvir is a nucleotide analog that has activity against all hepatitis c virus genotypes. Aim of work:The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of Sofosbuvir on the cornea of adult male albino rat. Materials and methods: Thirty five adult male albino rats were used in this experiment. Animals were divided into three groups; Group I control (negative and positive), Group II received Sofosbuvir orally by gastric tube at a dose of 4mg/kg per day for 5 weeks. Group III (Sovaldi and Chrysin treated), received SOV as in group II and Chrysin was given orally by a gastric tube, at a dose of 50 mg/kg once daily for 60 days. All rats were examined for histological study using Hematoxylin and Eosin and Mallory trichrome stains. Immunohistochemical expression for E-cadherin and Caspases-3 was performed. Morphometric and statistical analysis were also performed. Results: Examination of H&E stained sections of Sovaldi-treated cornea showed irregular upper free surface together with desquamation of surface epithelial cells. Bowman's layer was interrupted and separated. Stroma showed irregularly arranged collagen fibers and separated by wide spaces. Mallory trichrome stained-sections revealed disorganized collagen fibers. Immunohistochemically there was decrease of E-Cadherin expression and dramatically up-regulated expression of Caspases. Conclusion: Sofosbuvir have detrimental histological and immunohistochemical changes in cornea and Chrysin attenuate these changes.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is an international health problem for which renal fibrogenesis is the final treatment target. Objective: In our work, we highlighted two new strategies Nicorandil and Bone marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BM-MSCs), effective in reversing renal fibrosis induced by partial unilateral ureteric obstruction (PUUO). Methods: The current study included 96 male albino rats randomly divided into four groups, with 24 rats per group: Group I, the control group; Group II, PUUO where two-thirds of the left ureter was entrenched in the psoas muscle; Group III, same surgical procedure as in Group II for 7 days, and then the rats received 15 mg/kg/day Nicorandil once daily for 21 days; and Group IV, same surgical procedure as in Group II for 7 days, and then rats were given 3 × 106 of labeled MSCs injected intravenous, then rats were left for 21 days. Blood and kidney tissues were collected for biochemical, histological, and molecular analysis. Results: Both the Nicorandil and BM-MSCs treatment groups could ameliorate kidney damage evidenced by inhibition of MDA elevation and total antioxidant capacity reduction caused by PUUO. Also, there was a significant reduction in TNF, TGF, IL6, collagen I, and α-SMA in addition to improvement in histological examination. However, there was a significant difference between the BM-MSCs and Nicorandil-treated groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that BM-MSCs and Nicorandil improved renal fibrosis progression through their antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects in male albino rats subjected to PUUO, with BM-MSCs being more effective compared to Nicorandil.

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Background:The incidence of male reproductive disorders has been increased and may be linked to the environmental natural and synthetic chemicals. These chemicals are known as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs); Bisphenol-A (BPA) is the most common one. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an autogenous and economical source of growth factors which nowadays used in the tissue repair. Aim of the Work: Evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of PRP against BPA induced prostatic lesions in adult albino rats. Materials and Methods:Thirty five adult male albino rats were divided into 3 main groups.Group I served as control, Group II:the rats were received 50 mg/kg BPA once daily for 4 weeks, Group III: the rats were received BPA as group II then 0.5 ml of PRP subcutaneous injected twice weekly for 4 weeks. After 8 weeks, rats of all groups were subjected to the followings; biochemical analysis of serum testosterone, immunohistochemical studies for androgen and estrogen receptors (AR &ER), light and electron microscope examination. Results:Serum testosterone levels showed a highly significant decrease in group II when compared to others. Histologically, BPA treated prostate showed abundant collagen fibers with congested blood vessels and inflammatory cellular infiltration while, their acini showednumerous folds with epithelial stratification. Ultrastructurally, the secretory cells had heterochromatic nuclei, dilated endoplasmic reticulum,apical few microvilli and polymorphicsecretory granules with lysosomes. Nearly all acinar cells showed negative nuclear ARs while positive ERs detectionin basal cells. After PRP administration, showed improvement of many of these changes. Conclusion:Exposure to BPA at low dose induced deleterious effects on the histological structure of the prostate and disturbed reproductive hormones. PRP showed significant signs of restoration of these changes.

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