Effect of silymarin and metformin on the sperm parameters and histopathological changes of testes in diabetic rats: An experimental study

Background: Oxidative stress is a major contributor to diabetes, which can lead to testicular damage and infertility. Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of metformin as a chemical drug with silymarin as an herbal agent on the sperm parameters and histopathological changes of testes in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats (250-270 gr) were randomly divided into four groups: 1) control; 2) diabetic; 3) diabetic+metformin 200 mg/kg; and 4) diabetic+silymarin 100 mg/kg. Daily injections were administered intraperitoneally for 56 days. At the end of the treatment, blood sampling was performed for biochemical assessment. Then, the rats were sacrificed and their left testis and epididymis were cut for sperm analysis as well as histopathology and morphometric evaluation. Results: Diabetes was associated with a reduced sperm count, motility, viability, maturity, and chromatin quality of sperm (p ≤ 0.001). It was also associated with a higher malondialdehide level and lower total antioxidant capacity level of serum in comparison with the control group (p ≤ 0.001). There was a significant difference in the seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium height, and testicular histopathological alterations in the diabetic rats compared with the control rats (p ≤ 0.001). Treatment with metformin and silymarin improved the above-mentioned parameters and this improvement was more substantial in silymarin-treated animals (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: In diabetic rats, metformin and silymarin improved sperm parameters, sperm DNA integrity, seminiferous tubule diameter, germinal epithelium thickness, and testicular histopathological complications; this improvement was more substantial in the silymarin-treated group. So, the findings of this study suggest that silymarin is more effective than metformin in treating diabetic-induced infertility. Key words: Diabetes, DNA damage, Metformin, Silymarin, Sperm, Testis.

The Colombian Strain of Trypanosoma cruzi Induces a Proinflammatory Profile, Neuronal Death, and Collagen Deposition in the Intestine of C57BL/6 Mice Both during the Acute and Early Chronic Phase

The objective of this study was to evaluate the histopathological changes caused by infection with the Colombian strain of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) in the acute and chronic experimental phases. C57Bl/6 mice were infected with 1000 trypomastigote forms of the Colombian strain of T. cruzi. After 30 days (acute phase) and 90 days (early chronic phase) of infection, the animals were euthanized, and the colon was collected and divided into two parts: proximal and distal. The distal portion was used for histopathological analysis, whereas the proximal portion was used for quantification of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the weight of the animals and parasitemia were assessed. The infection induced gradual weight loss in the animals. In addition, the infection induced an increase in interferon gamma (IFNγ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the intestine in the acute phase, in which this increase continued until the early chronic phase. The same was observed in relation to the presence of intestinal inflammatory infiltrates. In relation to interleukin (IL)-10, there was an increase only in the early chronic phase. The Colombian strain infection was also able to induce neuronal loss in the myenteric plexus and deposition of the collagen fibers during the acute phase. The Colombian strain of T. cruzi is capable of causing histopathological changes in the intestine of infected mice, especially in inducing neuronal destructions. Thus, this strain can also be used to study the intestinal form of Chagas disease in experimental models.

Recent Advances of Salivary Gland Biopsy in Sjögren's Syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic, systemic, inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocyte proliferation and progressive damage to exocrine glands. The diagnosis of SS is challenging due to its complicated clinical manifestations and non-specific signs. Salivary gland biopsy plays an important role in the diagnosis of SS, especially with anti-Sjögren's syndrome antigen A (SSA) and anti-SSB antibody negativity. Histopathology based on biopsy has clinical significance for disease stratification and prognosis evaluation, such as risk assessment for the development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Furthermore, histopathological changes of salivary gland may be implicated in evaluating the efficacy of biological agents in SS. In this review, we summarize the histopathological features of salivary gland, the mechanism of histopathological changes and their clinical significance, as well as non-invasive imaging techniques of salivary glands as a potential alternative to salivary gland biopsy in SS.

Clinical Manifestations, Outcomes, and Histopathology of Recurrent Uveitis in Patients Underwent Pupil Coroplasty Combined with Cataract Surgery

Purposes: This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical manifestations of recurrent uveitis in patients underwent pupil coroplasty combined with cataract surgery, and discovery the histopathological changes of iris tissues. Methods: There 28 patients with recurrent uveitis-induced cataract, who had underwent pupil coroplasty, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation were enrolled in this study. The clinical manifestations and outcomes of the enrolled patients were analyzed. The histopathological changes of iris tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Results: The uveitis were idiopathic in 89.29% cases (n = 25). Before the surgery, 20 cases had no topical medication for at least 3 months. The preoperative BCVA was > 0.5 in all cases. During the follow-up of 5-10 years, no recurrence of uveitis was found in 96.43% cases (n = 27). Uveitis only recurred in one case along with the onset of ankylosing spondylitis at the 6th week after the surgery. HE staining showed obvious atrophy of iris stroma in all samples. The hyperplasia of pigment cells was observed in the pigment epithelium (n = 9) and even invaded into stroma (n = 19). The infiltration of inflammatory cells in iris tissues was found in 7 cases, and neovascularization in the surface of the iris was found in 2 cases. Conclusion: Recurrent uveitis was characterized by the atrophy of iris stroma, and some cases also exhibited hyperplasia of pigment cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The surgery proposed in this study can effectively prevent the long-term recurrence of uveitis.

Histopathological Evaluation of Tissue Specific Responses of Subacute Clothianidin Administration in Oncorhynchus mykiss

Clothianidin, one of the latest members of neonicotinoids, is a systemic insecticide of the neonicotinoid group that affects the central nervous system by acting as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist. Although it is stated that it has no dangerous potential for aquatic organisms, accumulation in water basins is important in terms of environmental toxicity. In this study, the histopathological changes caused by clothianidin applied in subacute application (7 days) form and in environmental doses (3, 15 and 30 µg/L) in the brain, kidney, muscle and gill tissue of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss were determined. Parallel to the administration of increasing doses of clothianidin, an increase in the severity of pathological lesions is observed in the brain, muscle, kidney and gill tissue. In particular, it shows that as a result of the accumulation of pesticides in aquatic organisms, lesions may develop as tissue-specific responses, thus leading to tissue dysfunction.

Effects of Silymarin on Blood Glucose Concentration, Hepatic Histopathological Changes and FOXA2 and FOXA3 Gene Expression in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Wistar Rats

Since the liver is among the primary organs susceptible to the effects of hyperglycaemia, diabetes mellitus (DM) could be a risk factor for the development and progression of liver damage. In present study, since no side-effects from the herbal medicine have been reported, the effect of silymarin on blood glucose concentration, hepatic histopathological changes and FOXA2 and FOXA3 gene expression, which are key genes in liver regeneration, was investigated. In this fundamental with experimental approach study, 40 male Wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were used. Rats were kept under the standard conditions of temperature of 20-22°C and humidity of 50% and consecutive 12-hour periods of light and darkness. Rats were randomly divided into five different groups (n=8 each), including healthy control rats, diabetic control rats, diabetic rats receiving silymarin (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin (50 mg/kg B.W., i.p.). For 4 weeks silymarin groups received the drug once every three days through gavage and fasting blood glucose concentration measured once every 10 days. At the end of a month experiment, livers were harvested for hepatic histopathological and FOXA2 and FOXA3 gene expression changes analysis. In the diabetic rats treated with silymarin (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg), by comparison with the diabetic control group (p<0.05), glucose levels decreased significantly. Moreover, FOXA2 and FOXA3 expression in diabetic groups treated with silymarin significantly increased compared to diabetic control group (p<0.05). Hepatic histopathological changes were improved in the treated groups.The present study indicates that silymarin significantly decreased blood glucose concentration and increased the FOXA2 and FOXA3 gene products level. Hence, silymarin is able to improve some of the symptoms associated with diabetes and possesses hepatoprotective effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Extravesical reimplantation of an extravesical-ectopic ureter from the upper pole of a duplicated kidney

Extravesical ureter ectopia is a rare cause of urinary incontinence. We are reporting a case of a 3-year-old girl with urinary incontinence. The girl was observed and treated for recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) against the background of left-side duplication of the upper urinary tract and vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). Two-time endoscopic treatment using a dextranomer/hyaluronic acid allowed to eliminate VUR on both sides and achieve stable clinical and laboratory remission of UTI. After potty training, the child had a constant drip of urine along with normal urination. The examination revealed extravesical ureter ectopia of the left duplicated kidney upper pole and a bladder space-occupying mass with hyperdensive inclusions in the projection of the vesical trigone on the left, which we regarded as a result of the migration of the implant and the appearance of histopathological changes in it. The presence of a bladder space-occupying mass determined the choice of the surgical technique in favor of the formation of a ureterocystoanastomosis with a duplicated ectopic ureter and the removal of a bladder space-occupying mass. When managing patients after endoscopic treatment of VUR, it should be considered the possibility of morphological changes in the bulking agent due to the accumulation of calcium and uric acid salts.

Histopathological Changes In The Intestine Of Infected Pigeons (Columba Livia Domestica) Caused By Helminthes Infection From Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Helminthes infection causes extensive harm to the pigeon host. The purpose of this study was to observe histopathological changes caused by helminths infection. Thirty-five pigeons (C.L. Domestica) were purchased weekly from a bird's market from Al- Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Out of the 35 pigeons examined, 9 pigeons (25.71%) were found infected with helminth parasites, which were identified as one cestode (Raillietina sp.), and one nematode (Ascaridia columbae). The infected pigeons suffered from growth retardation, emaciation, weakness, droopiness, and diarrhea. A lot of histopathological changes were seen in the intestine of infected pigeons including atrophy and distortion of villi, infiltration of inflammatory lymphocytic cells, erosion, and loss of the typical structure of the intestine, necrosis in villi, and blood vessels congestion. This study concludes, for the first time in AL-Qassim region-Saudi Arabia, that the infection with helminth parasites caused significant histopathological changes in the intestines of the infected pigeons, and this could lead to increased mortality to the infected pigeons. Further work is necessary in Saudi Arabia to determine the prevalence and biological factors that have a significant impact on the helminth parasites community.