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Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder. It is associated with serious life-threatening complications if not properly managed. The current study aimed at investigating the possible protective role of propolis on streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy. A diabetic rat model was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin. After 4 days, the diabetic rats received oral propolis (300 mg/kg/day) via gastric gavage for 28 days. Biochemical, histopathological and ultrastructural evaluations were performed. The results showed that: streptozotocin-induced diabetes was associated with a marked decrease in the serum high-density lipoproteins and antioxidant enzymes. However, a significant elevation in the levels of serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins was detected. Furthermore, streptozotocin treatment induced histopathological alterations of the renal cortex; in the form of distorted glomerular capillaries, widened Bowman's space and signs of epithelial tubular degeneration. Ultra-structurally, thickening and irregularity of the glomerular basement membrane and podocytes foot processes effacement were observed. The tubular epithelial cells showed swollen vacuolated mitochondria, scarce basal infoldings and loss of microvilli. Conversely, propolis partially restored the normal lipid profile, antioxidant biomarkers and renal cortical morphology. Propolis exhibited a sort of renoprotection through hypoglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The normal descriptive anatomical and histological studies on feline major salivary glands were estimated. We were focusing on clinically valuable glands; parotid, mandibular and sublingual salivary glands, and their ductal pathways by making sialography and papillary cannulation, that can help surgeons in their surgical approach. The work was carried out on seven cadaver domestic cats of both sexes. Anatomical dissection was performed to separate each gland and its duct. A novel papillary cannulation technique was achieved along with the radiographical study which occurred by injecting the ductal papillae with lead oxide dissolved in turpentine oil. Our findings asserted that the parotid gland was caudal to the mandible with a serous secretory unit. Its papilla was located dorsally in the upper buccal mucosa with a curved bent to prevent its occlusion with food particles. Thus, sialocoele was rarely seen in the parotid gland. The mandibular and sublingual salivary glands were closely connected in one compact membrane that has both serous and mucous endpieces. Their ducts passed together in the intermandibular space till they opened in the sublingual caruncles that are easily obstructed by food remnants. Therefore, they are more susceptible to sialocoele. The zygomatic gland was the deepest, while the molar gland appeared at the mandibular lip, which is composed mainly of mucous adenomeres. Eventually, we could provide in the current study a complete descriptive atlas of the major salivary glands of domestic cats, and we explained why sialocoele occurs more frequently in mandibulosublingual glands than in parotid glands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]