This study investigates the possible protective effects of astaxanthin (AX) against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity. The nephroprotective effect of AX against cisplatin-induced inflammation-induced renal injury was evaluated by biochemical and histopathologic analysis. Five groups were examined: saline control, DMSO carrier, AX (50 mg/kg/day, i.p., 7 days), CP (10 mg/kg, i.p.), and AX+ CP. Renal function (serum creatinine, BUN, and urinary KIM-1) and markers of inflammation (IL-1(3, IL-6, TNF-alpha, NF-kappa B, and COX-2) were evaluated in kidney tissues using ELISA. Histopathologic changes were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. It was determined that single-dose CP administration to rats increased BUN, Cr, and Kim-1 values and caused histopathologic renal toxicity in this group. AX treatment significantly reversed the acute renal injury caused by CP. A statistically significant increase in TNF-alpha, IL6, IL-1(3, COX-2, and NF-kappa B concentration levels was observed in the CP group (p<0.05). In contrast, a statistically significant decrease was observed in the AX-treated group (p<0.05). Notably, COX-2 and NF-kappa B levels were significantly elevated in the CP-treated group, while AX treatment effectively down-regulated these inflammatory markers. In addition, histopathologic examination revealed focal mononuclear cell infiltration areas in the CP-induced interstitial region, congestion areas in the interstitial region, degenerative changes and focal necrosis areas in tubular epithelial cells, enlargement of the bowman space, and hyperemia. Histopathologic examination showed that AX attenuated renal injury. The findings of the present study suggest that AX may provide new opportunities to understand its anti-inflammatory properties better and that the significant reduction of inflammatory cytokine levels in kidney tissue by AX may be related to its anti-inflammatory effect, thus suggesting that it may be a candidate therapeutic molecule against CP-induced nephrotoxicity. We recommend that the ability of AX to limit the increase of inflammatory mediators in kidney tissue may be promising for further clinical applications in protecting against CP-induced kidney injury or at least reducing its adverse effects.
Immunohistochemistry is a valuable and inexpensive tool used to identify the normal and abnormal parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells of the liver. The immunohistochemical identification of the liver cells of guinea pig from prenatal and postnatal age groups was conducted as per the ethical committee approval and this study would form the base line approach for disease diagnosis. The collected liver were processed for immunohistochemical staining protocol using antibodies namely CD68, CD34, CK 7, GFAP, alpha SMA, vimentin and insulin. The guinea pig liver of postnatal ages showed moderate positive immune reaction to CD34 antibody in the sinusoidal endothelial cells and decreased with age. CD68 positive immunoreactive granules showed strong reaction for the Kupffer cells and reaction decreased with age. Moderate CK7 positive immunoreaction was found in the lining epithelium of bile ducts. Hepatic stellate cells showed moderate GFAP positive reaction and decreased with age. HSCs were demonstrated as dense brown coloured alpha SMA immune positive cells in the hepatic sinusoids. The HSCs were demonstrated in the sinusoids by showing strong vimentin positive dark brown coloured cytoplasmic granules which decreased as age advanced. By Insulin immunohistochemical technique, beta cells were identified within the liver parenchyma in the sinusoidal space.
Idiopathic orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a rare granulomatous disorder with variable oral manifestations. In children, recurrent gingival enlargement as the predominant manifestation can present a diagnostic challenge and requires careful histopathological and systemic evaluation. This case report presents an 11-year-old boy with recurrent diffuse gingival enlargement, gingival bleeding and difficulty in chewing. The gingival enlargement had recurred following previous surgical excision and was associated with increased probing depths but no evident alveolar bone loss. There was no history of food, medication or cosmetic allergy or relevant systemic illness. Histopathological examination showed nonnecrotizing epithelioid granulomas, multinucleated giant cells and chronic inflammatory infiltrate. A complete work-up for secondary causes, including tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and Crohn's disease, was unremarkable, with no evidence of systemic disease, supporting a diagnosis of idiopathic OFG. Initial phase I periodontal therapy produced no appreciable improvement, following which the patient underwent full-mouth gingivectomy and gingivoplasty using electrocautery. The patient showed marked clinical improvement and remained asymptomatic without recurrence during 1 year of followup. This case highlights the importance of early recognition, biopsy and systematic evaluation for underlying systemic disease in children presenting with recurrent gingival enlargement and emphasizes the role of individualized management and long-term follow-up in idiopathic OFG.
Overproduction of melanin due to overexpression of tyrosinase stands responsible for various skin disorders/pigmentations. The use of kojic acid, mequinol, hydroquinone, or topical retinoids in hyperpigmentation can potentially cause irritation to the skin (dermal sensitization), DNA damage, and cancer at therapeutic doses. This study aims to highlight the phytochemicals that can multitarget 3 major dermatological targets, namely tyrosinase, elastase, and collagenase, and simultaneously optimize the polymer blend to develop a peel-off mask for the topical delivery of the bioactives. A total of 206 phytochemicals were chosen for the virtual screening to identify the hit compounds that can potentially act as skin-lightening agents. In-vitro tyrosinase inhibition assay for 4 hit molecules was performed. The cytotoxicity of the treatment solution and its effect on the H2O2-stressed environment were studied against the murine fibroblast cell line (L929). Subsequently, a bioactive-loaded peel-off mask formulation was developed for its cosmetic application. Considering hesperidin as a standard, our results listed 11 such bioactive compounds that can potentially act as multi-targeted inhibitors of all the 3 chosen receptors. The results indicate an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress in fibroblasts. The peel-off mask formulation exhibited the desired properties with short drying time and smooth surface morphology (SEM analysis). The bioactive compounds that are highlighted as hit molecules necessitate further investigations following in-vivo experiments to establish effective alternatives in the treatment of hyperpigmentation with minimal side effects.
Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammatory disease characterized by pancreatic tissue self digestion, which leads to local pancreatic injury or systemic inflammatory response. The mortality of acute pancreatitis is high, up to 36-50%, which seriously threatens the life safety of patients. During the development of SAP, multiple extra pancreatic organs may be involved in the early stage, and the kidney is one of the most frequently affected organs. Early detection of renal function, early diagnosis and treatment of SAP can reduce the mortality. Here, we have explored the pathological and ultrastructural changes of adrenal gland in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) as well as the mechanism and treatment of SAP affecting adrenal function. The results showed that the mortality of so group was 3.6% and that of SAP group was 27%. The injury and secretion function of adrenocortical cells were decreased in SAP. Intracellular calcium as well as the disturbance of pancreatic microcirculation plays an important role in the occurrence and development of SAP. Hence, the level of calcium ions helps in predicting the prognosis in SAP patients.
