OBJECTIVES: Genistein is known to influence reproductive system development through its binding affinity for estrogen receptors. The present study aimed to further explore the effect of Genistein on the development of the reproductive system of experimental rats. METHODS: Eighteen post-weaning female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into the following groups: (i) a control group that received vehicle (distilled water and Tween 80); (ii) a group treated with 10 mg/kg body weight (BW) of Genistein (Gen 10); and (iii) a group treated with a higher dose of Genistein (Gen 100). The rats were treated daily for three weeks from postnatal day 22 (P22) to P42. After the animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected, and the uteri and ovaries were harvested and subjected to light microscopy and immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: A reduction of the mean weekly BW gain and organ weights (uteri and ovaries) were observed in the Gen 10 group compared to the control group; these findings were reversed in the Gen 100 group. Follicle stimulating hormone and estrogen levels were increased in the Gen 10 group and reduced in the Gen 100 group. Luteinizing hormone was reduced in both groups of Genistein-treated animals, and there was a significant difference between the Gen 10 and control groups (p<0.05). These findings were consistent with increased atretic follicular count, a decreased number of corpus luteum and down-regulation of estrogen receptors-a in the uterine tissues of the Genistein-treated animals compared to the control animals. CONCLUSION: Post-weaning exposure to Genistein could affect the development of the reproductive system of ovarian-intact experimental rats because of its action on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by regulating hormones and estrogen receptors.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have reported that osteoporosis due to estrogen deficiency influences fracture healing. Transforming growth factor (TGF-b) has been found to be involved in fracture healing via the regulation of the differentiation and activation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The current study aimed to determine the effects of estrogen on the expression of TGF-β1 during fracture healing in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were assigned to: (i) a sham-operated group that was given a normal saline; (ii) an ovariectomized control group that was given a normal saline; or (iii) an ovariectomized + estrogen (100 mg/kg/day) group that was treated with conjugated equine estrogen. The right femur of all rats was fractured, and a Kirschner wire was inserted six weeks post-ovariectomy. Treatment with estrogen was given for another six weeks post-fracture. At the end of the study, blood samples were taken, and the right femur was harvested and subjected to biomechanical strength testing. RESULTS: The percentage change in the plasma TGF-β1 level before treatment was significantly lower in the ovariectomized control and estrogen groups when compared with the sham group (p<0.001). After six weeks of treatment, the percentage change in the plasma TGF-β1 level in the estrogen group was significantly higher compared with the level in the ovariectomized control group (p = 0.001). The mean ultimate force was significantly increased in the ovariectomized rats treated with estrogen when compared with the ovariectomized control group (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that treatment with conjugated equine estrogen enhanced the strength of the healed bone in estrogen-deficient rats by most likely inducing the expression of TGF-β1.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporotic fractures are common during osteoporotic states. Piper sarmentosum extract is known to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. OBJECTIVES: To observe the radiological changes in fracture calluses following administration of a Piper sarmentosum extract during an estrogen-deficient state. METHODS: A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: (i) the sham-operated group; (ii) the ovariectomized-control group; (iii) the ovariectomized + estrogen-replacement therapy (ovariectomized-control + estrogen replacement therapy) group, which was supplemented with estrogen (100 μg/kg/day); and (iv) the ovariectomized + Piper sarmentosum (ovariectomized + Piper sarmentosum) group, which was supplemented with a water-based Piper sarmentosum extract (125 mg/kg). Six weeks after an ovariectomy, the right femora were fractured at the mid-diaphysis, and a K-wire was inserted. Each group of rats received their respective treatment for 6 weeks. Following sacrifice, the right femora were subjected to radiological assessment. RESULTS: The mean axial callus volume was significantly higher in the ovariectomized-control group (68.2 + 11.74 mm³) than in the sham-operated, estrogen-replacement-therapy and Piper sarmentosum groups (20.4 + 4.05, 22.4 + 4.14 and 17.5 + 3.68 mm³, respectively). The median callus scores for the sham-operated, estrogen-replacement-therapy and Piper sarmentosum groups had median (range, minimum - maximum value) as 1.0 (0 - 2), 1.0 (1 - 2) and 1.0 (1 - 2), respectively, which were significantly lower than the ovariectomized-control group score of 2.0 (2 - 3). The median fracture scores for the sham-operated, estrogen-replacement-therapy and Piper sarmentosum groups were 3.0 (3 - 4), 3.0 (2 - 3) and 3.0 (2 - 3), respectively, which were significantly higher than the ovariectomized-control group score of 2.0 (1 - 2) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The Piper sarmentosum extract improved fracture healing, as assessed by the reduced callus volumes and reduced callus scores. This extract is beneficial for fractures in osteoporotic states.

INTRODUCTION: There is little data concerning the ability of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (EL) to reverse the inhibitory effects of estrogen on testosterone production and spermatogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of EL on testicular histology and sperm count in estrogen-treated male rats. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into four groups of six rats each. Group A (control) was given solvent in the same manner as the treated groups were given EL. Group B was treated with EL (8 mg/kg body weight) orally. Group C was treated with estradiol (E2) (intramuscular dose of 500 μg/kg body weight), and group D received a combined treatment of oral EL and intramuscular E2. After fourteen consecutive days of treatment, rats from all groups were sacrificed and subjected to spermatogenic and epididymal sperm cell counts. RESULTS: The spermatogenic cell count in the E2-treated group was significantly decreased as compared to the control (p < 0.05) and EL+E2-treated groups (p < 0.05). A similar finding was found for the epididymal sperm count; the E2-treated group had a significant decrease in the count compared to the control (p < 0.05) and EL+E2-treated groups (p < 0.05). Rats that were treated with EL alone exhibited significantly higher sperm counts and sperm motility when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EL extract acts as a potential agent for reversing the effects of estrogen by increasing spermatogenesis and sperm counts in rats after fourteen consecutive days of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of consuming repeatedly heated soy oil on the aortic tissues of estrogen-deficient rats. METHODS: Thirty female Sprague Dawley rats (200- 250 g) were divided equally into five groups. One group served as the normal control (NC) group. The four treated groups were ovariectomized and were fed as follows: 2% cholesterol diet (OVXC); 2% cholesterol diet + fresh soy oil (FSO); 2% cholesterol diet + once-heated soy oil (1HSO); and 2% cholesterol diet + five-times-heated soy oil (5HSO). After four months, the rats were sacrificed, and the aortic tissues were obtained for histological studies. RESULTS: After four months of feeding, the NC, FSO and 1HSO groups had a lower body weight gain compared to the OVXC and 5HSO groups. The tunica intima/media ratio in the 5HSO group was significantly thicker (p < 0.05) compared to the NC, OVXC and FSO groups. Electron microscopy showed that endothelial cells were normally shaped in the FSO and NC groups but irregular in the 1HSO and 5HSO groups. A greater number of collagen fibers and vacuoles were observed in the 5HSO group compared to the other treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Fresh soy oil offered protection in the estrogen-deficient state, as these rats had similar features to those of the NC group. The damage to the tunica intima and the increase in the ratio of tunica intima/media thickness showed the deleterious effect of consuming repeatedly heated soy oil in castrated female rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of palm oil tocotrienol-rich fractions on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: Animals were divided into three groups: (i) normal non-diabetic (NDM), (ii) diabetic treated (tocotrienol-rich fractions - TRF) and (iii) diabetic untreated (non-TRF). The treatment group received oral administration of tocotrienol-rich fractions (200 mg/kg body weight) daily for eight weeks. The normal non-diabetic and the diabetic untreated groups were fed standard rat feed. Blood glucose and lipid profiles, oxidative stress markers and morphological changes of the thoracic aorta were evaluated. RESULTS: Tocotrienol-rich fractions treatment reduced serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin concentrations. The tocotrienol-rich fractions group also showed significantly lower levels of plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride, as compared to the untreated group. The tocotrienol-rich fractions group had higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as compared to the untreated group. Superoxide dismutase activity and levels of vitamin C in plasma were increased in tocotrienol-rich fractions-treated rats. The levels of plasma and aorta malondealdehyde + 4-hydroxynonenal (MDA + 4-HNE) and oxidative DNA damage were significant following tocotrienol-rich fractions treatment. Electron microscopic examination showed that the normal morphology of the thoracic aorta was disrupted in STZ-diabetic rats. Tocotrienol-rich fractions supplementation resulted in a protective effect on the vessel wall. CONCLUSION: These results show that tocotrienol-rich fractions lowers the blood glucose level and improves dyslipidemia. Levels of oxidative stress markers were also reduced by administration of tocotrienol-rich fractions. Vessel wall integrity was maintained due to the positive effects mediated by tocotrienol-rich fractions.

Knowledge of the branching pattern of the abdominal aorta is clinically important for any abdominal surgeon operating on parts of the gut or neighboring structures like the suprarenals, spleen, pancreas, liver, kidneys and uréter. The presence of abnormal inferior phrenic artery associated with aberrant branch from the celiac trunk supplying the pancreas and duodenum is a rare anomaly. In the present case, we observed four branches of the celiac artery i.e. (a) left gastric artery (b) common hepatic artery (c) splenic artery and (d) an aberrant branch, which took a course inferiorly towards the pancreas. The aberrant artery supplied the body of the pancreas and gave a branch which supplied the horizontal part of the duodenum and then entered the transverse mesocolon to supply the hepatic flexure and some portions of the ascending and the transverse colon. The inferior phrenic artery was absent on the left side. Concomitant anomalies of such type are to be kept in mind by the surgeon, while operating cases of carcinoma head of pancreas and performing kidney transplantations.

El conocimiento del patrón de ramificación de la aorta abdominal es clínicamente importante para cualquier cirujano abdominal que opere en partes del intestino o estructuras vecinas, como glandulas suprarenales, bazo, pancreas, hígado, ríñones y uréteres. La presencia anormal de la arteria frénica inferior asociada con una rama aberrante originada del tronco celiaco, supliendo el pancreas y duodeno, es una variación anatómica rara. En el presente caso, se observaron cuatro ramas de la arteria celiaca: (a) arteria gástrica izquierda (b) arteria hepática común (c) arteria esplénica y (d) una rama aberrante, que tuvo un curso inferior hacia el pancreas. La arteria aberrante suministraba irrigación al cuerpo del pancreas y daba una rama para la parte horizontal del duodeno para luego entrar en el mesocolon transverso para irrigar la flexura hepática y algunas partes del colon ascendente y transverso. La arteria frénica inferior estaba ausente en el lado izquierdo. Anomalías concomitantes de este tipo deben ser consideradas por el cirujano, en casos de operación de carcinoma de cabeza de pancreas y la realización de trasplante renal.

OBJECTIVE: Assisted reproductive techniques are useful in helping infertile couples achieve successful conception. Initial studies have shown that sperm cryopreservation, one step in assisted reproduction, causes a dramatic reduction in sperm quality. This has been attributed to, among other things, free radical activities. The aim of the present study was to minimize this oxidative attack by adding an antioxidant into the sperm microenvironment. Alpha lipoic acids were selected for this purpose for their efficient free radical scavenging properties and solubility in lipid and aqueous phases. METHODS: For this investigation, semen from six Boer bucks was pooled. Seminal analysis of the baseline prior to incubation of samples with different concentrations of Alpha lipoic acids (0.00625, 0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 mmol/ml) was performed, and post-seminal analysis was conducted after a one-hour incubation. The comet assay was used to observe the effect of Alpha lipoic acids on sperm DNA integrity. Statistical analysis using an unpaired t-test with a significance level of p<0.05 was then performed. RESULTS: Our results indicate that the sperm motility rate was improved after incubation with Alpha lipoic acids at a concentration of 0.02 mmol/ml. This concentration was also capable of reducing DNA damage. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Alpha lipoic acids renders cryoprotection to sperm, thereby improving sperm quality.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ginger extract on the expression of NFκB and TNF-α in liver cancer-induced rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups based on diet: i) control (given normal rat chow), ii) olive oil, iii) ginger extract (100mg/kg body weight), iv) choline-deficient diet + 0.1% ethionine to induce liver cancer and v) choline-deficient diet + ginger extract (100mg/kg body weight). Tissue samples obtained at eight weeks were fixed with formalin and embedded in paraffin wax, followed by immunohistochemistry staining for NFκB and TNF-α. RESULTS: The expression of NFκB was detected in the choline-deficient diet group, with 88.3 ± 1.83% of samples showing positive staining, while in the choline-deficient diet supplemented with ginger group, the expression of NFκB was significantly reduced, to 32.35 ± 1.34% (p<0.05). In the choline-deficient diet group, 83.3 ± 4.52% of samples showed positive staining of TNF-α, which was significantly reduced to 7.94 ± 1.32% (p<0.05) when treated with ginger. There was a significant correlation demonstrated between NFκB and TNF-α in the choline-deficient diet group but not in the choline-deficient diet treated with ginger extract group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, ginger extract significantly reduced the elevated expression of NFκB and TNF-α in rats with liver cancer. Ginger may act as an anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory agent by inactivating NFκB through the suppression of the pro-inflammatory TNF-α.

CONTEXTO Y OBJETIVO: El extremo intermedio de la frontera posterior del hueso del sphenoid presenta el proceso anterior del clinoid (ACP), que está alcanzado generalmente para las operaciones que implican el espacio clinoidal y el sino cavernoso. El ACP es conectado a menudo con el proceso medio del clinoid (MCP) por un ligamento conocido como el ligamento del carotico-clinoid (CCL), que puede ser osificado, formando el agujero del clinoid del carotico (CCF). Las variaciones del ACP con excepción de la osificación, son raras. El CCL osificado puede tener efectos compresivos en la arteria carótida interna. El conocimiento así anatómico y radiológico del ACP y del espacio clinoidal es también importante mientras que funciona en la arteria carótida interna. La supresión del ACP se puede requerir para muchos cirugía basada cráneo y la presencia de cualquier anomalía tal como CCL osificado, puede plantear un problema para el neurocirujano. INFORME DEL CASO: Observamos la presencia de CCL osificado en un hueso del cráneo. Un estudio radiológico detallado del CCL y del CCF fue conducido. Las medidas morphometric fueron registradas y las fotografías fueron tomadas. El ACP fue conectado con el MCP y convertido en un CCF. En vista del hecho, los libros de textos de esa anatomía del estándar no proporcionan la descripción morfológica y la evaluación radiológica de CCL, el actual estudio puede ser importante para los neurocirujanos que funcionan en la región del ACP.

CONTEXT: The medial end of the posterior border of the sphenoid bone presents the anterior clinoid process (ACP), which is usually accessed for operations involving the clinoid space and the cavernous sinus. The ACP is often connected to the middle clinoid process (MCP) by a ligament known as the caroticoclinoid ligament (CCL), which may be ossified, forming the caroticoclinoid foramen (CCF). Variations in the ACP other than ossification are rare. The ossified CCL may have compressive effects on the internal carotid artery. Thus, anatomical and radiological knowledge of the ACP and the clinoid space is also important when operating on the internal carotid artery. Excision of the ACP may be required for many skull-based surgical procedures, and the presence of any anomalies such as ossified CCL may pose a problem for neurosurgeons. CASE REPORT: We observed the presence of ossified CCL in a skull bone. A detailed radiological study of the CCL and the CCF was conducted. Morphometric measurements were recorded and photographs were taken. The ACP was connected to the MCP and was converted into a CCF. Considering the fact that standard anatomy textbooks do not provide morphological descriptions and radiological evaluations of the CCL, the present study may be important for neurosurgeons operating in the region of the ACP.

El músculo extensor de los dedos de la mano se origina a partir del comienzo del extensor común, es decir, del epicóndilo lateral del húmero y termina en cuatro tendones, uno para cada dedo, excepto el pulgar. Este trabajo informa un caso donde el tendón del extensor de los dedos terminaba como cuatro tendones para los dedos índice, medio, anular y meñique, pero mostraba variaciones en el número de tendones para cada dedo. En efecto, se observaron dos tendones en los dedos anular y meñique. Tal disposición de los tendones del extensor de los dedos puede tener importancia clínica. La presencia de tendones múltiples puede también alterar la cinética alrededor del sitio de inserción a la falange. El conocimiento de la anatomía normal y anormal de los tendones extensores es de utilidad cuando se hacen cirugías como transferencia de tendones e injertos.

The extensor digitorum muscle of the hand originates from the common extensor origin i.e., from the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and ends in four tendons, one for each digit except for the thumb. This paper reports a case, in which the tendon of the extensor digitorum ended as four tendons to the index, middle, ring and little fingers, but displayed variations in the number of tendons to each finger. Two tendons of extensor digitorum were observed in the ring and the little finger. Such an arrangement of the tendons of the extensor digitorum may have clinical importance. The presence of multiple tendons may also alter the kinematics around the site of attachment to the phalanx. Knowledge of abnormal and normal anatomy of the extensor tendons, may be helpful while performing graft and tendon transfer operations.

The external jugular vein, which traverses the sternocleidomastoid muscle superficially, is known to exhibit variations in its formation and course. There are less reports on the communication of the external and internal jugular vein. During routine cadaveric dissection, we detected an abnormal communication of the external jugular vein and the internal jugular vein, in a 45 year male cadaver. The knowledge of both normal and abnormal anatomy of the superficial veins of the neck may be important for clinicians performing catheterization and surgeons operating in the region of the neck. The presence of such anomalous communications may also be important for radiologists performing angiographic and sonographic studies

La vena yugular externa, cruza transversal y superficialmente al músculo esternocleidomastoideo presentando variaciones en su curso y formación, existiendo algunos repórters en las comunicaciones entre ambas venas yugulares externa e interna. Durante ua disección de rutina, detectamos una anormal comunicación entre ambas venas, en una cadáver de sexo masculino de 45 años. El conocimiento de la anatomía normal y de las variaciones de las venas superficiales del cuello es importante en los procedimientos de cateterización tanto para clínicos como para cirujanos que operan en esta región. La presencia de estas variaciones de comunicación venosa es importante además, para imagenólogos y estudios sonográficos