The effect of irisin on the ultrastructure of the thoracic aorta in rat: A morphometric study

BACKGROUND

One of the most recent hormones to be identified and isolated is irisin, extracted from mouse skeletal muscle in 2012. Irisin has been proven to alter blood pressure, which has an impact on blood vessels, enhance endothelial functions, and prevent injury to endothelial cells. The current study aimed to study the effect of irisin on the ultrastructure of the rat thoracic aorta using the transmission electron microscope (TEM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty female rats were recruited for this study and divided into a control group (non-injected), and four experimental groups (injected groups) each consisting of 4 rats. The experimental groups were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of irisin (250ng/mL, 500ng/mL, 1000ng/mL, and 2000ng/mL) twice a week for 4weeks. Then, the descending thoracic aorta of all experimental rats were resected and proceeded with imaging.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed a change in the thickness of the tunica intima, internal elastic lamina, elastic lamellae, and external elastic lamina concerning increasing injected irisin concentration. While there was a significant increase in the thickness of tunica media (P<0.0001) and smooth muscle cells (P<0.05). Also, the results showed a significant increase in the number of elastic lamellae in the tunica media (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Irisin had a major impact on the elasticity of the rat thoracic aorta wall, suggesting that it influences the growth factors of the wall and activates smooth muscle cells in addition to endothelial cells.

Ultrastructural study of the gastric mucosa and Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori and gastric mucosa in control and duodenal ulcer patients at the electron microscopic level.

METHODS

Three antral biopsies were taken from each of 20 normal control volunteers and 30 duodenal ulcer patients presented to the gastroenterology unit at Jordan University Hospital for upper endoscopic examination. Each specimen was fixed and processed for electron microscopic study.

RESULTS

Two types of Helicobacter pylori were observed and identified by their morphology at electron microscopy. The first one was characterized by double external smooth membranes and homogeneous cytoplasmic contents, and the second type with a characteristic ring-shaped intracytoplasmic vacuole. Electron microscopic examination of normal controls showed normal gastric mucosa and a small number of Helicobacter pylori in 12 out of 20 controls. However, in duodenal ulcer patients, 5 different patterns of interaction between the Helicobacter pylori and gastric mucosa were observed in relation to the severity of the disease. In duodenal ulcer patients, various types of epithelial damage was seen accompanied with a decrease or absence of mucous secretion and with more colonization of bacteria.

CONCLUSION

The morphology and pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori was described in duodenal ulcer patients, and 5 different patterns of contact between Helicobacter pylori and surface epithelium were recognized causing variable degrees of microvillous atrophy and reduced mucous secretion. The vacuolated type of Helicobacter pylori was more adherent to the damaged epithelium and there was a direct relationship between the epithelial damage and bacterial load. In the normal controls, no epithelial damage and scanty bacteria were observed. The various types of epithelial changes of gastric mucosa has initiated more research at electron microscopic level on the immune mechanism of the gastric mucosa to determine the underlying cause of the varying severity of the disease.

Fibroadenoma of the supernumerary breast of the axilla

Supernumerary breast or polymastia is a well documented anomaly of the breast, and commonly presents along the embryonic milk line extending between the axilla and groin. However, cases of polymastia have been recorded in the face, vulva and perineum. The clinical significances of these anomalies include their susceptibility to inflammatory and malignant changes, and their association with other congenital anomalies of the urinary and cardiovascular systems. The present article reports a case of fibroadenoma developing in the supernumerary breast of the right axilla in a 28 year old woman. Clinical and mammography examination of both breasts revealed no abnormalities and no lymph nodes were detected in the axillae or the neck. No associated urologic or cardiovascular abnormalities were found, and the histopathological examination of the excisional biopsy samples showed a well-defined, capsulated intracanalicular type of fibroadenoma similar to that of eutopic mammary tissue. The article also outlines the common congenital anomalies of the breast, and emphasizes on their proper clinical assessment for any other associated anomaly together with adequate surgical excision and regular follow up of the treated patients.

A comparative ultrastructural study of the Helicobacter pylori in duodenal ulcer patients before and after treatment

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