Search

To evaluate the protective effects of Resveratrol ( RES) on azoxymethane ( AOM)-induced testicular damage using histopathology and biochemical analyses, 28 male rats were randomly divided into four groups. Groups were control, RES, AOM and ARES. At the end of the 7 weeks, following routine tissue processing procedure, testis sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome. The blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis of testosterone, total oxidative stress, total antioxidant status and oxidative stress index. Degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules such as atrophy, loss in the number of germ cells and arrested spermatogenic cell, and increase in the connective tissue of the tunica albuginea in the groups with AOM treatment were found. RES treatment ( ARES) reduced the number of affected seminiferous tubules significantly ( p < .05) compared to AOM alone. The testosterone levels in AOM group were significantly lower than in the control group ( p < .05). The total oxidative stress levels were significantly higher in AOM group compared to control group ( p < .05). The total antioxidant status levels in ARES group were significantly higher than in the AOM group ( p < .05). This study results suggest that an antioxidant like Resveratrol may be useful for decreasing the harmful effects of azoxymethane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This study aimed to evaluate the histological changes occurring in rat skin with increasing age, starting from the intrauterine period. Methods Thirty-two healthy female Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated in four groups: group 1 - intrauterine day 19, group 2 - postpartum day 21, group 3 - postpartum day 60, and group 4 - postpartum month 19. Skin samples from the back, abdomen, head, and upper and lower limbs were obtained from each subject under anesthesia. Tissue specimens were evaluated statistically and morphologically for the thicknesses of the epidermis, dermis, and basement membrane; the number, height, and width of dermal papillae; and the mast cell and pilosebaceous counts per group. The changes in collagen/elastic fibers and glycosaminoglycans were also assessed. Results Epidermal thickness was the highest in the intrauterine group; it decreased in the postpartum period and increased again in the aged group. Basal membrane thickness increased steadily with age. The number, height, and width of dermal papillae and dermal thickness increased up to day 60 after birth although these decreased in the aged group. Mast cell count also reached the maximum in the intrauterine group and gradually decreased with age. Pilosebaceous units of the dermis were fewer in intrauterine specimens; they showed an increase during the postpartum period and a decrease in the aged group. Conclusion Skin specimens obtained from rats showed striking differences between the intrauterine and postpartum groups. Moreover, the postpartum group showed considerable intra-group differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]