Evaluation of the hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of Tegillarca granosa flesh body extract against potassium bromide toxicity via targeting the histomorphometry,chromosomal and expressions of TGF-β1,VEGF and COX-2 genes in rats

The hepatotoxic effect of potassium bromide(KBr)on rat liver tissues were determined,as well as the potential protective effect of Tegillaraca granosa(T.granosa)flesh body extract.Twenty adult male albino rats were equally distributed into four groups;Group(I)treated with physiological saline(control group),Group(II)was orally gavaged by 200 mg/kg of T.granosa body extract day after day,Group(III)was intoxicated by KBr(150 mg/kg bwt day after day orally)and finally,Group(IV)was given a combination of T.granosa flesh body extract plus KBr with similar doses in the second and third groups.At the end of one month,blood,liver tissue and bone marrow samples were collected to be used for the required laboratory examinations.In response to KBr toxicity,there was a significant increase in serum antioxidant biomarkers,which was accompanied by a significant change in hepatocyte ultrastructure and a significant change in carbohydrate and protein levels within the liver organ.In addition,KBr intoxication resulted in a substantial increase in the incidence of chromosomal aberrations such as holes,splits,deletions,fragments,ploidy,and ring chromosomes,as well as significant upregulation of TGF-1,VEGF,and COX-2 gene expression.The hepatotoxic effect of KBr was counteracted by treatment with T.granosa flesh body extract.T.granosa flesh body extract has a curative antioxidant and numerous protective effects against KBr hepatotoxicity.

Vitamin D3 supplementation influences ovarian histomorphometry and follicular development in prepubertal albino rats

Objective:To evaluate the development of ovarian follicles in female albino rats following vitamin D3 supplementation.Methods:Eighteen prepubertal female albino rats,aged 3-4 weeks,weighing(70.25±9.16)g,were assigned to three groups(n=6 in each group).Group A was treated with 5.00 mL/kg of distilled water and served as the control group,group B was treated with 0.025 mg/kg of vitamin D3 dissolved in distilled water,and group C was treated with 0.125 mg/kg of vitamin D3 dissolved in distilled water.All treatments were administered orally,twice weekly for 28 days.Blood and ovaries were harvested under anaesthesia.Serum vitamin D3 levels were determined by using spectrophotometric method.Ovaries were processed for histology and every10th hematoxylin and eosin stained-section was selected for histomorphometry.The number of follicles at each developmental stage was estimated.Results:Both 0.025 mg/kg and 0.125 mg/kg of vitamin D3 significantly increased serum concentrations of vitamin D3 and calcium(P<0.05),but did not alter inorganic phosphorus concentration(P>0.05).The control group had fewer growing follicles(primary,secondary and antral follicles)and more non-growing follicles(primordial and atretic follicles)when compared with the vitamin D3-supplemented groups(P<0.05).Vitamin D3 at 0.025 mg/kg significantly increased antral follicles and corpora lutea counts(P<0.05).Vitamin D3 at 0.125 mg/kg significantly increased total,primordial and atretic follicles counts(P<0.05),but significantly decreased primary,secondary,antral follicles count,ovarian weight,relative ovarian weight,and ovarian surface area when compared with the control group and rats treated with 0.025 mg/kg of vitamin D3(P<0.05).Conclusions:Vitamin D3 supplementation at 0.025 mg/kg can enhance optimal ovarian follicle recruitment and development in female rats.

Histomorphometry of the Testes, Epididymides, and Spermatozoa of Four Indigenous Breeds of Bulls in Ibadan, Nigeria

Forty testicles were used to carry out histomorphometry study on the testes, epididymides and spermatozoa of four indigenous breeds of bull found in Ibadan (Red Bororo (RB), Sokoto Gudali (SG), White Fulani (WF) and Dhali (DL)). The testicles were harvested immediately after the slaughter at the Bodija abattoir and transported to the laboratory in an insulated flask containing warm water at 37°C within 30 minutes. In the laboratory, the samples were dissected and histological sections of the right testis, right and left caudal epididymides taken from two bulls in each group. The tissues were fixed in Bouin’s fluid. They were processed in an automatic tissue processor, embedded in paraffin wax using the embedding system (Leica EG 1160) and sectioned with microtome at 4 microns. The sections were then stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin method and mounted and examined under a microscope. There was no significant difference between breed and seminiferous tubular diameter (STD) and testicular germinal height (TGEH). The mean STD ranged from 223.00 ± 28.35 to 316.00 ± 37.70 μm, while the TGEH ranged from 81.60 ± 10.05 to 89.80 ± 4.83 μm. The mean epididymal tubular diameters (ETD) and epididymal lumen diameters (ELD) had the highest value of 378.00 ± 10.95 and 298.20 ± 26.0489 μm in DL and lowest of 373.80 ± 37.70 and 278.10 ± 27.71 μm in RB, respectively. The mean epididymal germinal epithelia heights (EGEH) were highest (61.20 ± 5.70 μm) in WF and lowest (39.80 ± 0.86 μm) in RB. The mean sperm head length (SHL), sperm midpiece length (SMPL), sperm tail length (STL) and sperm total length (TL) had the highest values of 5.90 ± 0.10, 8.80 ± 0.25, 24.20 ± 2.59 and 38.90 ± 2.94 μm, respectively in SG. SHL and SMPL were lowest in DL bulls (5.00 ± 0.00 and 6.30 ± 0.20 μm), while STL and TL were lowest (18.90 ± 0.24 and 31.30 ± 0.85 μm). The results of this study provide baseline data on the histomorphometry of the testes and epididymides and spermatozoa of some indigenous bulls.

A first comparison of bone histomorphometry in extant domestic horses(Equus caballus)and a Pleistocene Indian wild horse(Equus namadicus)

The microstructural features of the tissue of long bones subjected to different biomechanical stresses could be a helpful tool for a better understanding of locomotor behavior in extant and extinct mammals,including equids.However,few researches have attempted to describe the bone tissue of extinct horses.In our study,we analyze and compare the histomorphometric features of the bone tissue in extant modern horses,Equus caballus,and Equus namadicus,a Pleistocene Indian extinct wild horse.The number,position,and size of the osteons and Haversian canals of the bone tissue,classifiable as dense Haversian tissue,were considered for the comparison.The results obtained highlight some differences between the analyzed species,E.caballus having fewer and bigger osteons than E.namadicus.The microstructural differences may depend on the different lifestyles and environmental conditions characterizing the two species.The results obtained suggest that comparing the biomechanical properties of extinct and modern horse species may provide indirect information on their paleoenvironment.

Sensory innervation around immediately vs. delayed loaded implants: a pilot study

Although neurophysiological and psychophysical proof of osseoperception is accumulating, histomorphometric evidence for the neural mechanisms of functional compensation following immediate and delayed implant loading is still lacking. For this randomized split-mouth study, six mongrel dogs randomly received one of four treatment protocols at 36 implant-recipient sites over 16 weeks （third maxillary incisor, third and fourth mandibular premolar）： immediate implant placement and immediate loading （liP＋ IL）; delayed implant placement and delayed loading （DIP＋DL）; delayed implant placement and immediate loading （DIP＋IL）; and natural extraction socket healing （control）. Histomorphometry was performed in the peri-implant bone and soft tissues within 300 pm around the implants. Immunocytochemistry and transmission electron microscopy were used to confirm the presence of neural structures and to reveal their ultrastructural characteristics, respectively. Myelinated nerve fibres densely populated the peri-implant crestal gingival and apical regions, although they were also identified in the woven bone and in the osteons near the implant threads. Compared with the control group in the mandible, the group that received IIP＋IL showed a higher innervation （in N.mm^-2, 5.94±1.12 vs. 3.15±0.63, P〈0.001） and smaller fibre diameter （in pm, 1.37±0.05 vs. 1.64±0.13, P=0.016）, smaller axon diameter （in pm, 0.89±0.05 vs. 1.24±0,10, P=0.009） and g-ratio （0.64±0.04 vs. 0.76±0.05, P〈0.001） in the middle region around the implants. Compared with DIP＋IL in the mandible, IIP＋IL had a higher nerve density （in N.mm^-2, 13.23±2.54 vs. 9.64±1.86, P=0.027）, greater fibre diameter （in pm, 1.32±0.02 vs. 1.20±0.04, P=0.021）, greater axon diameter （in μm, 0.92±0.01 vs. 0.89±0.03, P=-0.035） and lower g-ratio （0.69±0.01 vs. 0.74±0.01, P=-0.033） in the apical region around the implants. It may be assumed that the treatment protocol with liP＋ IL is the preferred method to allow optimized peri-implant re-innervation, but further functional measurements are still required.

Benefits of Ilizarov automated bone distraction for nerves and articular cartilage in experimental leg lengthening

AIM To determine peculiarities of tissue responses to manual and automated Ilizarov bone distraction in nerves and articular cartilage.METHODS Twenty-nine dogs were divided in two experimental groups: Group M-leg lengthening with manual distraction(1 mm/d in 4 steps), Group A-automated distraction(1 mm/d in 60 steps) and intact group. Animals were euthanized at the end of distraction, at 30 th day of fixation in apparatus and 30 d after the fixator removal. M-responses in gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were recorded, numerical histology of peronealand tibialis nerves and knee cartilage semi-thin sections, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray electron probe microanalysis were performed.RESULTS Better restoration of M-response amplitudes in leg muscles was noted in A-group. Fibrosis of epineurium with adipocytes loss in peroneal nerve, subperineurial edema and fibrosis of endoneurium in some fascicles of both nerves were noted only in M-group, shares of nerve fibers with atrophic and degenerative changes were bigger in M-group than in A-group. At the end of experiment morphometric parameters of nerve fibers in peroneal nerve were comparable with intact nerve only in A-group. Quantitative parameters of articular cartilage(thickness, volumetric densities of chondrocytes, percentages of isogenic clusters and empty cellular lacunas, contents of sulfur and calcium) were badly changed in M-group and less changed in A-group.CONCLUSION Automated Ilizarov distraction is more safe method of orthopedic leg lengthening than manual distraction in points of nervous fibers survival and articular cartilage arthrotic changes.

Relationship of distraction rate with inferior alveolar nerve degeneration-regeneration shift

Distraction osteogenesis is an important technique for the treatment of maxillofacial abnormities and defects. However, distraction osteo- genesis may cause the injury of the inferior alveolar nerve. The relationship between distraction rate and nerve degeneration-regeneration shift remains poorly understood. In this study, 24 rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. To establish the rabbit mandibular distraction osteogenesis model, the mandibles of rabbits in distraction osteogenesis groups were subjected to continuous osteogenesis dis- traction at a rate of 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mm/d, respectively, by controlling rounds of screwing each day in the distractors. In the sham group, mandible osteotomy was performed without distraction, Pin-prick test with a 10 g blunt pin on the labium, histological and histomorpho- metric analyses with methylene blue staining, Bodian＇s silver staining, transmission electron microscopy and myelinated fiber density of inferior alveolar nerve cross-sections were performed to assess inferior alveolar nerve conditions. At 28 days after model establishment, in the pin-prick test, the inferior alveolar nerve showed no response in the labium to a pin pricks in the 2 mm/d group, indicating a severe dysfunction. Histological and histomorphometric analyses indicated that the inferior alveolar nerve suffered more degeneration and in- juries at a high distraction rate （2 mm/d）. Importantly, the nerve regeneration, indicated by newborn Schwann cells and axons, was more abundant in 1.0 and 1.5 mm/d groups than in 2.0 mm/d group. We concluded that the distraction rate was strongly associated with the inferior alveolar nerve function, and the distraction rates of !.0 and 1.5 mm/d had regenerative effects on the inferior alveolar nerve. This study provides an experimental basis for the relationship between distraction rate and nerve degeneration-regeneration shift during dis- traction osteogenesis, and may facilitate reducing nerve complications during distraction osteogenesis.

The Effect of Estrogen on the Restoration of Bone Mass and Bone Quality in Ovariectomized Rats

To evaluate the effect of estrogen on its ability to restore the bone mass and bone quality in ovariectomized rats by examining the changes of bone morphology and histomorphometry, 3- month-old rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: normal control, ovariectomized (OVX), sham- operated (Sham-O) and OVX plus estrogen (OVX+E2). Treatment initiated from the day 8 weeks after operation and continued for 12 weeks. Bone morphology and histomorphometry were examined afterwards. Results showed that comparing to control group, the trabecular bone in OVX appeared thinner and reduced in the amount. The connectivity between trabecula was decreased and the struc- ture disordered. The free-end of trabecula was increased. The cavity of bone marrow enlarged. After treatment with estrogen, above changes improved remarkably by different degree, although did not reach the normal face. The bone histomorphometry results damonstrated that estrogen treatment in- creased bone mass and the amount of trabecula by 129% and 132% respectively (P<0. 05). The activity of bone resorption decreased significantly and the rate of bone formation increased to 203%. These results suggest that treatment of ovariectomized rats with estrogen can not only increase bone mass, also improve the bone structure and enhance the property of bone mechanics.

Calcitonin and vitamin D3 have high therapeutic potential for improving diabetic mandibular growth

The goal of this study was to assess the effect of the intermittent combination of an antiresorptive agent （calcitonin） and an anabolic agent （vitamin D3） on treating the detrimental effects of Type 1 diabetes mellitus （DM） on mandibular bone formation and growth. Forty 3-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups： the control group （normal rats）, the control C＋D group （normal rats injected with calcitonin and vitamin D3）, the diabetic C＋D group （diabetic rats injected with calcitonin and vitamin D3） and the diabetic group （uncontrolled diabetic rats）. An experimental DM condition was induced in the male Wistar rats in the diabetic and diabetic C＋ D groups using a single dose of 60 mg.kg-1 body weight of streptozotocin. Calcitonin and vitamin D3 were simultaneously injected in the rats of the control C＋D and diabetic C＋D groups. All rats were killed after 4 weeks, and the right mandibles were evaluated by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analysis. Diabetic rats showed a significant deterioration in bone quality and bone formation （diabetic group）. By contrast, with the injection of calcitonin and vitamin D3, both bone parameters and bone formation significantly improved （diabetic C＋ D group） （P 〈 0.05）. These findings suggest that these two hormones might potentially improve various bone properties.

Porous titanium granules in critical size defects of rabbit tibia with or without membranes

Recently, porous titanium granules （PTGs） have been indicated for the preservation of the dimensions of post-extraction sockets, as a filler in sinus lift procedures and for the treatment of peri-implant and periodontal defects, based on the osteoconductivity and dimensional stability of the titanium granules. However, there is a lack of information regarding the use of this material in larger defects and in conjunction with membranes. The objective of this study is to test the behavior of PTGs used to fill critical size defects in rabbit tibiae, with and without membranes. Critical defects were created in both tibiae of rabbits, divided randomly into three groups： Group A （defect filled with PTG）, Group B （defect filled with PTG＋collagen membrane） and a control group （empty defect）. After six weeks, histomorphometric analysis was performed. The results showed more defect closures at the cortical area （87.37%±2.2%） and more bone formation at the marrow area （57.6%± 1.3%） in Group B, in comparison with the other groups （P〈0.05）; the use of membranes improved the material stability expressed as more percentages of the original material when membranes were used （P〈0.05）. Finally, inflammatory reactions were observed when the granules were not protected by membranes. In spite of the limitations of this animal study, it may be concluded that PTG particles are osteoconductive and allow bone growth. The PTG particles must be covered by a membrane, especially when grafting larger defects, in order to control particle migration, promote clot stabilization and separate the PTG graft from undesired soft tissue cells.

Enhanced cortical bone expansion in Lgals3-deficient mice during aging

Imbalances between bone formation and bone resorption, which can occur due to aging or sex hormone deprivation, result in decreased bone mass and an increased risk of fracture. Previous studies have suggested that the β-galactoside binding lectin,galectin-3, is involved in bone remodeling. We compared bone parameters of mice having null alleles of the galectin-3 gene(Lgals3-KO) with those of their wild-type littermates. Lgals3 deficiency increased cortical bone expansion at 36 weeks(wk) and preserved or enhanced bone mass in both male and female mutant mice. In addition, female Lgals3-KO mice were protected from age-related loss of trabecular bone. Histomorphometry and ex vivo primary cell differentiation assays showed increased osteoblastogenesis with little-to-no effect on osteoclastogenesis, suggesting the increased bone mass phenotype is primarily due to increased anabolism. Our study identifies galectin-3 as a negative regulator of bone formation and suggests that disruption of galectin-3 may be useful in preventing bone loss during aging.

Testosterone replacement maintains smooth muscle content in the corpus cavernosum of orchiectomized rats

Objective:To evaluate the effects of testosterone(T)on the maintenance of corpus cavernosum(CC)structure and apoptosis.Methods:Animals were divided into three groups:sham operation group(n Z 8)underwent sham operation;Orchiectomized(Orchiec)t oily vehicle group(n Z 8)underwent bilateral orchiectomy and received a single dose of oily vehicle by intramuscular injection(i.m.)30 days after orchiectomy;and Orchiec t T group(n Z 8)underwent bilateral orchiectomy and received a single dose of T undecanoate 100 mg/kg i.m.30 days after the surgery.Animals were euthanized 60 days after the beginning of the experiment with an anesthetic overdose of ketamine and xylazine.Blood samples and penile tissue were collected on euthanasia.

Early Osseointegration of Implants with Cortex-like TiO2 Coatings Formed by Micro-arc Oxidation:A Histomorphometric Study in Rabbits

In our previous studies, a novel cortex-like Ti O2 coating was prepared on Ti surface through micro-arc oxidation（MAO） by using sodium tetraborate as electrolyte, and the effects of the coating on cell attachment were testified. This study aimed to investigate the effects of this cortex-like MAO coating on osseointegration. A sand-blasting and acid-etching（SLA） coating that has been widely used in clinical practice served as control. Topographical and chemical characterizations were conducted by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, contact angle meter, and step profiler. Results showed that the cortex-like coating had microslots and nanopores and it was superhydrophilic, whereas the SLA surface was hydrophobic. The roughness of MAO was similar to that of SLA. The MAO and SLA implants were implanted into the femoral condyles of New Zealand rabbits to evaluate their in-vivo performance through micro-CT, histological analysis, and fluorescent labeling at the bone-implant interface four weeks after surgery. The micro-CT showed that the bone volume ratio and mean trabecular thickness were similar between MAO and SLA groups four weeks after implantation. Histological analysis and fluorescent labeling showed no significant differences in the bone-implant contact between the MAO and SLA surfaces. It was suggested that with micro/nanostructure and superhydrophilicity, the cortex-like MAO coating causes excellent osseointegration, holding a promise of an application to implant modification.

Influence of Masticatory Functional Loss on the Remodeling of Alveolar Bone in Rats

There is plenty of literature on masticatory function and its impact on maxillofacial development. However, the influence of masticatory hypofunction on bone turnover in the alveolar bone has hardly been studied. This study aimed to clarify the influence of tooth loss and soft diet on the alveolar bone turnover during the growth period. Three-week-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: Hard diet group (rats raised on solid standard diet), Powder diet group (rats raised on powdered standard feed diet), and Extraction group (rats raised on powdered standard diet with maxillary molars extraction). BV, BMC, and BMD in the cancellous bone of M1 were measured using micro-CT analysis. To analyze the histological bone turnover, we prepared non-decalcified thin sections of alveolar cancellous bone when rats were 20 weeks old. On three-dimensional constructed images, the experimental groups (the Powder diet and Extraction groups) showed expansion of the medullary cavity of the interradicular septum of the first molar compared to controls (the Hard diet group). BV, BMC, and BMD were significantly lower in the experimental groups, with the difference from controls being greater in the Extraction group. On histomorphometric analysis, the bone mass parameters, bone formation parameters, and bone mineralization parameters were significantly lower in the experimental groups compared to controls. The bone resorption parameters were significantly higher in the experimental groups. From this study, we found that soft diet and tooth loss might worsen the bone microstructure, reduce osteogenesis, and promote bone resorption in alveolar bone.

Kelulut honey ameliorates glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis via its antioxidant activity in rats

Objective:To explore the effects of kelulut honey on bone structure and histomorphometry against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.Methods:Thirty-five male rats were used(n=7).Twenty-eight adrenalectomized rats were divided into four groups;each group was given normal saline 0.9%(negative control),calcium water(positive control),kelulut honey(200 mg/kg/day and 400 mg/kg/day,respectively)treatment,respectively.All of them were administered with intramuscular injection of dexamethasone(120μg/kg/day)to induce osteoporosis.Seven sham operated rats were given vehicle palm olein 0.05 mL/100 g/day by intramuscular injection and 0.1 mL/kg/day orally.All the treatments were given daily for 2 month.Lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress enzymes were measured.In addition,bone structural and histomorphometry analyses were also conducted.Results:Two-month glucocorticoid treatment increased the level of malondialdehyde and decreased superoxide dismutase significantly.No significant changes were found in the activities of catalase and glutathion peroxidase.Bone volume/tissue volume and trabecular number were significantly reduced while trabecular separation of the femoral bones was increased which corresponded to the decreased number of osteoblast surface after two months of receiving glucocorticoid treatment.Kelulut honey treatment restored the level of superoxide dismutase and reduced malondialdehyde significantly(P<0.05).Moreover,kelulut honey increased bone volume/tissue volume,trabecular number and decreased trabecular separation significantly(P<0.05),which were further confirmed by increased osteoblast surface and decreased osteoclast surface number(P<0.05).Conclusions:Kelulut honey may have potential bone protective effect,and may be a prophylaxis against glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Evaluation of the osseointegration of dental implants coated with calcium carbonate:an animal study

In an attempt to overcome the limitations of titanium in dental and orthopaedic clinical applications, a new method has been developed to prepare calcium carbonate coatings on sandblasted and acid-etched （SA） titanium implants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of calcium carbonate-SA （CC-SA） implants on osseointegration in vivo. The surfaces of SA and CC-SA implants were characterised for surface morphology and surface chemistry. Subsequently, these two kinds of implants were implanted in the femoral condyles of rabbits. The implants were retrieved and prepared for histological and histomorphometric evaluation 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks after implantation. Significantly higher values of bone-to-implant contact of the entire implant except the gap area （BIC_ALL） and the bone-to-implant contact of the gap area （BIC_GAP） were found in animals with the CC-SA implants than in those with the SA implants at 4 weeks. Higher values of total gap bone were found in those with the CC-SA implants than in those with the SA implants at 1, 2 and 4 weeks. In conclusion, the current findings demonstrate that the calcium carbonate coating can improve and accelerate the early ingrowth of bone and osseointegration at the early healine phase. This may reduce clinical healinE times and thus improve implant success rates.

Pathology of diabetic myocardiac microangiopathy

Objective To investigate the cause of high cardiovascular lethality in patients with diabetics mellitus. Methods Sections from autopsied coronary arteries and myocardium of dead patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetics mellitus and 12 dead control subjects were used for histomorphometric studies. Results The coronary atherosclerotic lesion in diabetics patients was not different in severity fi＇om those in controls. Nor was there difference in number ofmyofibers or diameters of myoeardic fibers and capillaries.But the capillary density and the ratio of capillary number to myocardic fiber number in diabetics group were significeantly reduced compared with control group（P〈0.0 l）,and the capillary basement membrane in the former was significantly thicker than in the latter（P〈0.01）.Conclision The decrease in number of capillaries and the thickening of basement membrane enhance myocardiac vulnerability to further ischemia and hypoxia,which may undelie high lethality of myocardiopathy in diabetic patients.

Effects of ciprofloxacin on testicular tissue and sperm quality in rabbits

Objective:To investigate the hormonal,histopathological toxicity and sperm quality of ciprofloxacin in male genital system in the rabbit model.Methods:Twenty adult New Zealand male rabbits were randomly divided into the treatment and control groups,and respectively received 30 mg/kg/day ciprofloxacin and normal saline intraperitoneally for 14 days.Blood samples and testicular tissues were taken for testosterone by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method,and measurement of histopathologic and histomorphometric investigations was made on the 14th day of the experiment and 56 days after the last dose of ciprofloxacin.Additionally,epididymis sperm sample was collected for quality analysis.Results:On day 14 of the experiment,histopathologic examination revealed severe degenerative changes in the epithelium of seminiferous tubules and loss of all germ cells in most tubes in the treatment group.In the histomorphometric study,significant reductions in the seminiferous tubules diameter,epithelium height,and Johnsen’score were observed.On day 56 after the last dose of ciprofloxacin,the seminiferous tubules revealed regeneration in the treatment group and no significant difference was observed in the spermatogenesis parameters except epithelial height parameter between the control group and the treatment group.All sperm quality parameters were significantly decreased on day 56 after the last dose of ciprofloxacin.Testosterone levels did not significantly change during the follow-ups period.Conclusions:There is potential reversible testicular toxicity for ciprofloxacin in the rabbit model in according to relative regeneration of spermatogenic epithelium after 56 days of last dose of ciprofloxacin.Sperm quality will be improved with a delay after complete regeneration of seminiferous tubules.

The More Efficacious Acupoints of Zusanli and Sanyinjiao Than That of Non-acupoints on Bone Mass in Osteopenic Ovariectomized Rats

Objective： To clarify whether the acupoints of Zusanli （ST36） and Sanyinjiao （SP6） have specific actions other than non-acupoints to bone. Methods： Forty Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into five groups： Sham operated （sham） group; Ovariectomized （OVX, model） group; non-acupuncture group; OVX, needling on Zusanli and Sanyinjiao （Acp-A） group; OVX, needling on the reverse sides of Zusanli and Sanyinjiao （Acp-B） group; OVX, periostineal stimulation on the same height as points of Zusanli and Sanyinjiao （Acp-C） group. The experiment was continued for 23 weeks and then all animals were sacrificied. Results： OVX had a significantly higher body weight and lower bone mineral density （BMD） on the lumbar vertebrae, total femora and tibiae than sham rats, however, Acp-A showed a higher BMD compared with the other OVX groups. On the other hand, bone weights, bone strength and bone morphometry such as trabecular volume, trabecular separation, labeled width and bone formation rate also showed the same improvements in Acp-A as compared to the other OVX rats. Conclusion： The stimulation on Zusanli and Sanyinjiao specifically prevented the development of osteopenic rats compared with non-acupoints.