Commiphora myrrh Supplementation Protects and Cures Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Alterations of Gastric Ulceration in Rats

Gastric ulceration is a multifactorial disease defined as a defect in the gastric wall that extends through the muscularis mucosae into the deeper layers of the wall. The most common cause of gastric ulceration is alcohol consumption. In the current study, rats were gavaged by ethanol to investigate the protective (before ethanol) and curative (after ethanol) ability of Commiphora myrrh (myrrh) oil and extract against gastric ulcer oxidative alterations induced by ethanol. Myrrh significantly improved ulcer index, histomorphology, and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) impaired by ethanol. In addition, myrrh improved the antioxidant potential of gastric mucosa through enhancement of nuclear factor related to erythroid 2 (Nrf2), total glutathione (GSH), reduced GSH, and oxidized glutathione (GSSG), along with significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Amelioration of gastric oxidative stress by myrrh enables gastric mucosa to counteract the ethanol’s inflammatory and apoptotic processes leading to improved gastric proliferation and healing. Interestingly, myrrh extract showed better protective and curative effects than myrrh oil against gastric ulceration.

Peptic ulcer disease

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is defined as a disruption in the innermost lining of the gastrointestinal tract, due to the secretion of gastric acid or pepsin. The disruption is in the gastric epithelial layer, specifically the muscularis mucosae. PUD normally affects the stomach along with the first and second parts of the duodenum, although it is not limited to these areas. Typically, gastric ulcers induce upper abdominal pain within 30 minutes of eating, whereas duodenal ulcers cause discomfort much later. Endoscopic and histological investigations are the key to early identification and treatment of patients with PUD, with testing for Helicobacter pylori necessary in those patients suspected of having PUD. In this article we will be looking at the aetiology, pathophysiology and management of PUD.

Developmental events and cellular changes occurred during esophageal development of quail embryos

The current study focused on the histogenesis of the esophagus in quail embryos. Formation of the gut tube occurred on the 4th day of incubation. Development of the muscular layers occurred in a sequential manner; the inner circular layer on the 7th day, the outer longitudinal layer on the 8th day and the muscularis mucosae on the 9th day. Glandular development began on the 13th day of incubation. The epithelium was pseudostratified columnar that consisted of mucous cells, dendritic cells, and keratinocyte precursors. Epithelial stratification occurred on the 15th day of incubation. We used Mallory trichrome, Weigert-Van Gieson, and Gomori silver stains to visualize fibrous components. Scanned samples showed formation of endoderm and mesoderm on the 5th day of incubation. A layer of myoblasts developed on the 8th day of incubation. Formation of mucosal folds, which contained glandular openings, occurred on the 14th to 17th days of incubation. On the 5th to 8th days of incubation, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) positive-mesodermal cells, and telocytes (TCs) were detected. On the 15th day of incubation, CD34 and VEGF positive-telocytes, and fibroblasts, were identified. The current study described the correlations between functional morphology and evolutionary biology.

Clinical outcomes of endoscopic resection of preoperatively diagnosed non-circumferential T1a-muscularis mucosae or T1b-submucosa 1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

In Japan, preoperatively diagnosed T1a-muscularis mucosae or T1b-submucosa 1 (MM/SM1) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a relative indication for endoscopic resection (ER). We evaluated long-term outcomes in patients after ER for non-circumferential ESCC with a preoperative diagnosis of MM/SM1 invasion. We retrospectively reviewed 66 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of non-circumferential MM/SM1 ESCC endoscopically resected between 2010 and 2015. Patients were divided into low- (adequate follow-up) and high-risk (requiring additional treatment) groups for lymph node metastasis according to risk factors (submucosal invasion, lymphovascular invasion, or droplet infiltration) and long-term outcomes were analyzed. Pathological invasion to T1a-lamina propria mucosa, MM/SM1, and T1b-SM2 was seen in 22, 38, and 6 lesions, respectively. Overall, 71.2% patients were classified into the “adequate follow-up” group. Of these, only one patient had a lymph node recurrence, which was successfully treated by additional therapy. The remaining 28.8% patients were classified into the “requiring additional treatment” group, where no recurrences were observed after additional treatments. After a median follow-up of 58.6 months, no deaths happened due to ESCC. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 93.6% and 88.7%, respectively. ER is a valid initial treatment for non-circumferential ESCC with preoperatively diagnosed MM/SM1 invasion.

Comparative Features of the Upper Alimentary Tract in the Domestic Fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) and Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus): A Morphological, Histochemical, and Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

The avian alimentary tract has evolved into different histologic structures to accommodate the physical and chemical features of several food types and flight requirements. We compared the esophagus, proventriculus, and gizzard of the domestic fowl, Gallus gallus domesticus (GGD) and kestrels, Falco tinnunculus (FT) using immunohistochemistry and scanning electron microscopy with various stains and lectins [Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA) and Ricinus communis agglutinin I (RCA120)], and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The esophagus of GGD demonstrated thickened epithelium, muscularis mucosae, and inner circular longitudinal tunica muscularis layers; moderate outer longitudinal tunica muscularis layers; and a true crop. In contrast, the esophagus of FT showed a thin epithelium, no muscularis mucosae, moderate inner longitudinal and thick outer circular tunica muscularis layers, and no true crop. In the proventriculus, the nature of the secretion in GGD was neutral, but that of FT was acidic and neutral. In the gizzard, the muscle coat of GGD by α-SMA had no muscularis mucosae, unlike FT, which had muscularis mucosae. In summary, there are many histologic differences between GGD and FT to meet their different physiologic needs, such as feeding.