Neutral Mucins Research Articles

Histopathology and Spatial Distribution of Putative Growth Factors in Relation to Bacterial Localization of Campylobacter jejuni Within the Ovine Gallbladder.

Campylobacter jejuni is an important zoonotic pathogen that is the leading cause of both human foodborne bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and ovine abortion in the United States. Previous studies have demonstrated that the gallbladder of ruminants is often positive on culture for Campylobacter sp., suggesting that this environment may serve as a chronic nidus of infection for maintenance of disease within populations. The objective of this study was to determine if previously identified putative growth promoting factors of C. jejuni are present within the gallbladder mucosa of sheep and to evaluate for bacterial co-localization of C. jejuni with these compounds following experimental inoculation. Direct gallbladder inoculation with C. jejuni sheep abortion (SA) clone clinical isolate IA3902 followed by immunohistochemical analysis and scanning electron microscopy allowed for identification of C. jejuni at the gallbladder mucosal surface and within the gallbladder submucosal glands. Histochemistry identified several putative Campylobacter growth promoting factors including neutral and acid mucins as well as L-fucose to be present both on the mucosal surface as well as in the gallbladder submucosal glands. In summary, following experimental inoculation of the ovine gallbladder, C. jejuni IA3902 was identified in direct contact with the gallbladder mucosal surface and deep mucosal glands in the same location as several putative growth promoting factors. This suggests the yet to be tested hypothesis that under natural conditions of infection, the gallbladder submucosal glands have the potential to provide a protected niche for chronic carriage of C. jejuni in animal hosts.

Mucosubstances in the porcine gastrointestinal tract: Fixation, staining and quantification.

Mucins are of great interest in intestinal research and histochemical methods are often employed to identify them. Since it is in the nature of mucins that they are “hard to hold onto” once they come into contact with water, a frequently used medium in histochemistry, there are a number of challenges that may decrease diagnostic accuracy. As the outcome of methods published for microscopic detection of mucosubstances proved to be unsatisfactory in our hands, the aim was the establishment of a reliable and reproducible protocol. Tissue samples were available from pig feeding experiments. In the present study, we focus on a fixation / staining procedure without making comparisons between differently fed pigs. Several fixation and staining procedures were evaluated for their use in semiautomatic quantification and quality assessment of different mucus fractions simultaneous on one tissue section. Cryostat sectioning, subsequent fixation steps with heat, ethanol and modified Bouin’s solution, followed by triple staining with high iron diamine, alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff turned out to be the best method to identify sulfomucin, sialomucin and neutral mucin simultaneous on one tissue section. This methodology resulted in very good morphology of goblet cells with intact mucin containing vesicles within the cells, which was comparable to ultrastructural electron microscopical observations. Semiautomatic quantification of different mucins was possible. In conclusion, reliable mucus quantification and assessment of mucus quality requires strictly tested procedures. According to our experience, the most important aim after cryosectioning is fast fixation of the mucosubstances, which requires a combination of different fixation steps.

Histochemical changes during development of Harderian gland in chicken

The present study was aimed to examine histochemical changes in the Harderian gland of pre and post hatched chicks from 11 day of incubation to 24 days of age. In pre hatched groups, the gland was in the developing stage. There was no well defined parenchyma, septa and capsule in early embryonic stage. Histochemical observation revealed that weak or negligible activity of PAS, AB/PAS and Sudan black B was seen in epithelial lining of Harderian gland on 18th and 20th day of incubation. The gland was compound tubule-acinar type at 20th day of incubation, consisted of capsule, parenchyma and stroma. PAS activity was seen in the capsule, septa, epithelial lining of acini and tubule and interstitial connective tissue cells. PAS activity was aggregated towards the apical part of the tubular epithelium as well as at the free luminal surface epithelium of the acini. PAS activity increases with the development of connective tissue component of Harderian gland with the advancement of age. The Harderian gland was predominantly mucus and lipid secreting gland. All epithelial cells of the glandular unit of Harderian gland contain both neutral and acidic mucin. Intense AB-positive activity was seen at the apex of tubule with the advancement of age. Sudan black B activity was recorded in the cytoplasm of epithelial lining of tubule and acini of the Harderian gland and their presence increases with age.

Role of dietary Spirulina platensis in improving mucosal immune responses and disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In the present study, the effects of dietary Spirulina platensis (SP) on immune responses, histological structure of the mucosal surfaces and disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was investigated. Three practical diets containing three levels of SP (0%, 2.5% and 5%) were formulated and each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 45 fish. At the end of seven-week feeding trial, the expression of immune-related genes [lysozyme, component 3 (C3), immunoglobulin M (IgM), omDB-3 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)] and histological characteristics of the skin, gill and posterior intestine of fish (18 fish form each diet group) were studied. The remaining fish were challenged intraperitoneally with Yersinia ruckeri. The results showed that SP supplemented diets did not have side effects on the normal structure of mucosal surfaces in intestine, skin and gill. The percentage of acidic mucin producing goblet cells of intestine was higher in both treatment groups whereas the percentage of neutral mucin goblet cells decreased in these groups compared to the control group. In the intestine of fish fed 5% SP higher goblet cell density, villus height, absorption surface area and intraepithelial lymphocytes than the control were observed. The expression of immune-relevant genes showed an up-regulation of lysozyme gene in skin and intestine of fish fed SP supplemented diets. The expression of genes encoding C3, omDB-3 and TNF-α genes were up-regulated in skin and gill tissues of fish fed 2.5% SP supplemented diet, while in fish received 5% SP supplemented diet, up-regulation of these genes was noted in skin tissue. IgM gene expression was also up-regulated in all the examined mucosal tissues in fish fed with 2.5% SP whereas diet with 5%SP caused an up-regulation of this gene in gill and skin tissues. The challenge experiment showed that the cumulative mortality was significantly lower in fish fed SP supplemented diets than control group after infection with Y. ruckeri. These results showed that the dietary supplementation of fish diet especially with 2.5% SP had the potential to improve mucosal immune responses and disease resistance of rainbow trout.

A Histological Study of the Rat Duodenal Mucosa During Pre- and Post-weaning Periods

Background: Changes in food constituent during suckling, weaning and post-weaning periods documented histological and functional adaptation in rat small intestine. Objectives: identify histological changing events, which represent such adaptation in the rat duodenal mucosa. Material and methods: Twenty four male rat pups are divided into equal 4 groups including day one, 7 &15 (pre-weaning) and day 21 (weaning). In addition, two other groups including 12 male adult rats equally divided, aged 45 days (post-weaning) and 90 days, were used. The animals are euthanized at the fore mentioned days and the duodenum is processed for light and scanning electron microscopic examination. Paraffin sections are stained with haematoxylin & eosin and combined alcian blue/ PAS. Computer image analysis and statistical study are done for the height of the villi, depth of the crypts and villous / crypt ratio. Results: The villi are broadening with the advance of age. The height of the villi and the depth of the crypts show a statistical non-significant increase in the pre-weaning groups. At weaning, there is a significant decrease in the height of the villi with a decrease of the villous/crypt ratio. The villi are covered by brushed columnar enterocytes and some vacuolated enterocytes are seen only in pre-weaning period. Acidic and neutral mucin positive stained goblet cells are distributed on villi and within the crypts of pre-weaning pups. At weaning, goblet cells are positive for acidic mucin only. Crypts are lined with pyramidal enterocytes and paneth cells are dominating in day 21. Both villi and crypts at postnatal day 21(weaning) acquire structural appearance similar to that of adult.

Tissue quantification of neutral and acid mucins in the mucosa of the colon submitted to 10 days of gastric restriction in an animal model

BackgroundObesity and its related comorbidities have detrimental effects for the affected individual and pose a major challenge on public health systems worldwide.However, mechanisms of surgical weight loss and long‐term consequences of bariatric surgery remain unclear. Gastric reduction procedures are currently employed to treat morbid obesity and there are few reports concerning the consequent effects in large intestine.PurposeTo quantify the expression of neutral and acids mucins in mucosa of the colon in animal model and correlate this to gastric restrictionMethodsExperimental model of gastric restriction was devised using rats. The animals were submitted to surgical gastrostomy and a cylindrical loofah was inserted into the stomach. We studied 30 adult male Wistar rats divided in three groups: the stomach reduction group (R10), the sham group (S10), which underwent the same procedure except for the loofah insertion and the control group (C10). Animals were fed and kept in separate cages. They were weighed every other day until being sacrificed on day 10. The expression of neutral and acid mucins was evaluated using the histochemical techniques of Periodic Acid Schiff and Alcian Blue, respectively and Picrosirius Red. The tissue mucins and collagen expression were quantified by computer‐assisted image analysis software.Goblet cells and protein content were presented by groups as mean, median, minimum and maximum and it was compared between groups using generalized estimation equations (GEE) with normal distribution and identity link function supposing exchangeable correlation matrix between fields. Bonferroni's multiple comparison was applied to identify differences between groups. The results are described by the mean value with respective standard deviation. We used Spearman correlation to verify correlation between weight, height of the crypt and cells quantity. All tests were applied with 5% significance level.ResultsThere was increased expression of neutral mucins and acid mucins as well as Goblet cells in the R10 group. Picrosirius Red enhanced total collagen in restriction group.ConclusionsGastric restriction for 10 days in animal model increased neutral mucins and acid mucins as well as collagen content with trophic maintenance.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

HISTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF STOMACH OF GRASSCUTTER (Thryonomys swinderianus)

The Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), is a wild herbivorous rodent peculiar to Africa. It is widely eaten in Nigerian rural communities as a protein source hence its domestication as microlivestock. There is paucity of data on the histochemical studies. This study was aimed at histochemically analyzing the stomach in order to determine if it exhibits regional differences in its qualitative expression of acid, neutral and carboxylated mucin. Seven animals obtained from the wild and domesticated in the animal house of the Department of Human Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria were used. Histologically, stomach of the Grasscutter was simple, glandular and composed of three regions: cardia, fundic‐body and pyloric. Cardia region showed enlongated tubular glands, coiled at the lower end with an opening continuous with the long conspicuous gastric pits. Fundic‐body region showed numerous gastric glands which open into fewer shorter gastric pits while the pyloric region showed simple tubular glands which are highly branched as such obscures the depth of the gastric pits. Histochemically, stomach of the Grasscutter exhibits regional polymorphism in the mucin content with the glands showing weak alcianophilic reactions. Cardia and pyloric regions demonstrated neutral periodic acid Schiff (PAS) reaction characterized by purple coloration thus indicating the presence of neutral mucins. Fundic‐body region exhibited strong PAS positive reaction particularly at the apical cytoplasm of the oxynticopeptic cells indicating the presence of carboxylated mucins. Results demonstrate that regional differences in the expression of mucins occur in the stomach of African Grasscutters, thus this may provide basic information for further nutritional and conservative studies.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Investigating the Suitability of a Laboratory Mouse Model to Study the Pathogenesis of Abortifacient Campylobacter jejuni.

The aim of this study was to assess whether pregnant mice represent a useful model to study the reproductive pathology of Campylobacter jejuni IA3902 using the end point of positive microbial culture of the organism from the fetoplacental unit. Pregnant BALB/c and CD-1 mice (14 days' gestation) were inoculated orally and intraperitoneally (IP) with 1 × 109 colony-forming units/ml of C. jejuni IA3902. The organism was recovered by microbial culture from the fetoplacental unit in 10 of 10 BALB/c and 10 of 10 CD-1 IP-inoculated pregnant mice and in 29% (2/7) BALB/c and 38% (3/8) CD-1 orally inoculated pregnant mice. Gross reproductive lesions included necrosuppurative placentitis, fetal resorption, intrauterine fetal death, stillborn pups (dead neonates), and multifocal hepatitis. Histological changes consisted of locally extensive neutrophilic and necrotizing placentitis with intralesional bacterial colonies of C. jejuni, ulcerative endometritis, random multifocal hepatitis, and rare cholecystitis. Immunohistochemistry for the major outer membrane protein of C. jejuni revealed moderate to large numbers of the organism at the periphery of the placental discs, within trophoblasts and extracellularly, with invasion into the placental disc largely via the vascular network. The organism is trophic for neutral mucin, iron, and L-fucose within the murine placenta. C. jejuni IA3902 has affinity for the murine reproductive tract, specifically the fetoplacental unit, where it results in a necrotizing placentitis with positive microbial recovery after both IP and oral challenge in BALB/c and CD-1 pregnant mice.

Intestinal immunity of dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula spiral valve: A histochemical, immunohistochemical and confocal study

The present study describes histochemical and immunohistochemical characteristics of the spiral valve and its associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. The mucosal surface of the spiral valve represents the first line of defense against pathogens coming from the external environment through food. Epithelial, mucus and immune cells play a key role in controlling the inflammatory response. Valve intestine of S. canicula had many folds lined by simple columnar cells and goblet cells, which later reacted positive to PAS, AB and AB-PAS, histochemical stains differentiated the different types of mucins; lectin histochemistry (PNA and WGA), detected neutral and acid mucins secreted that plays an important role in protection against invading pathogens. Integrin α5β1 was expressed in enterocytes that line the valve's folds with greater marking in the apical part of the cells. Laminin was found on the apical side of the epithelium, in fibrillar and cellular elements of the lamina propria and in the muscularis mucosa. In the spiral valve gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) has been studied. For the first time, massive leucocytes aggregates were identified by confocal immunofluorescence techniques, using the following antibodies: TLR2, S100, Langerin/CD207. Our results expand knowledge about Dogfish valve intestine giving important news in understanding comparative immunology.

Comparative histochemical study of the gastrointestinal tracts of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and the hybrid catfish (Clarias batrachus x Clarias gariepinus)

Because of the wide variety of cells which are arrayed in the tissue of the gastrointestinal tracts of these two fish, basic histological examination is not appropriate to clarify the histological structure. But histochemical techniques can be applied to identify the chemical differences contained in the tissues. The present study aimed to compare the histochemical characteristics of the gastrointestinal tracts of adult fishes which consume different types of food: the Nile tilapia is herbivore and the hybrid catfish is carnivore. The esophagus, stomach and intestine of each fish was stained with 1) Masson’s trichrome, for the muscular and connective tissues, 2) Periodic acid Schiff, for neutral mucin, 3) Alcian blue pH 2.5 and pH 1.0, for acid and sulfated acid mucin. The neutral and acid mucins were observed in the esophagus of the tilapia and catfish but sulfated acid mucin was found only in the catfish. Both neutral and acid mucins presented in the stomach of the tilapia, whereas the stomach of the catfish contained only the neutral mucin although it is contained more collagen in the submucosa. The tilapia intestine revealed that neutral and acid mucins were presented throughout the tissue, and small amounts of sulfated acid mucin were observed in the anterior intestine. However, sulfated acid mucin was very obviously located in posterior intestine of the catfish. Moreover, all parts of the catfish intestine showed both neutral and acid mucins with a thick collagen layer in the submucosa. This research will be useful for understanding the physiology of the relevant digestive systems and making a diagnosis of some gastrointestinal diseases in these two fish.

Is the colon mucosa affected by ten days of gastric restriction in an animal model?

Purpose To identify whether the colon mucosa is affected by ten days of gastric restriction in an animal model.Methods An experimental model of gastric restriction was devised using rats. The animals were submitted to surgical gastrostomy, and a cylindrical loofah was inserted into the stomach. We studied 30 adult male Wistar rats divided into three groups: the stomach restriction group (R10); the sham group (S10), which underwent the same procedure except for the loofah insertion; and the control group (C10). The expression of neutral and acid mucins was evaluated using histochemical techniques. Goblet cells and protein content were compared between groups using generalized estimation equations (GEEs). Bonferroni’s multiple comparison was applied to identify differences between the groups. All tests considered a 5% significance level.Results There was an increased expression of neutral mucins, acid mucins and goblet cells in the R10 group. Collagen was also enhanced in the R10 group.Conclusion The colon mucosa is affected by ten days of gastric restriction in an animal model, increasing neutral mucins, acid mucins and collagen content with trophic maintenance.

Histochemical evaluation of an epithelial layer of the cardiac part gastroesophageal junction mucosa in the different periods of a prenatal ontogenesis of human (part 2)

In order to study the quantitative and qualitative composition of mucins of the gastroesophageal zone (GEZ) epithelium during the stages of embryonic and fetal periods of ontogenesis, we conducted morphometric and histochemical studies of the epithelial differon of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). The early embryonic period of 5–6 weeks was established to have been observing a gradual increase of neutral and acid mucins secretion in the gastric parts of the GEJ epithelial differon whereas the embryo-fetal or non-fetal period from 7 to 9 weeks was characterized by changing and the structural rearrangement of the epithelial differon and sulfomucins appearance in gastric epithelium and gradual decrease in the production of acid mucins. The early fetal period (10–28 weeks) is characterized by disappearance of acid sialomucins in the enterocytes of the GEZ from 10 to 18 weeks and an increase to 7.65±0.18% of neutral mucins with a drop in their level in the 18-20 week period and a decrease to 24±0.10% at 28 weeks (p<0.001). The late fetal period, from 28 to 38 weeks, was characterized by a complete structural rearrangement of the epithelial differon of the GEZ with the formation of a simple columnar epithelium of the cardiac part of the stomach with incomplete histochemical cytological differentiation of the GEZ gastric epithelium. It was evidenced by the presence of residual acid mucins (sialomucins) that are not typical for mature gastric epithelium.

Histochemical evaluation of mucins distribution of the gastroesophageal zone esophageal epithelium in the embryonal and fetal periods of human ontogenesis (part I)

To study the quantitative and qualitative mucins profile of gastroesophageal zone (GEZ) epithelium during stages of the embryonal and fetal ontogenesis periods we have performed morphometrical and histochemical researches of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) epithelial differon. The current study was carried out on 169 human embryos and fetuses of gestational age from 4–5 till 38 weeks. It was established that during early embryonal period (5–6 weeks) gradual increase of neutral and acid mucins in esophageal part of the GEJ epithelial differon is observed. For early fetal period (10–28 weeks) disappearance of acid syalomucins in the GEJ enterocytes from 10 till 18 week and increasing of neutral mucin till 7,65±0,18% with falling of its level in 18–20 weeks period and decreasing till 2,4±0,10% in 28 weeks (р<0,001) was typical. Late fetal period from 28 till 38 weeks is characterized by complete structural rearrangement of epithelial differon of the GEZ stratified squamous nonkeratinized epithelium with formation of two functional zones: protective germinative in esophageal part of GEJ with incomplete histochemical cytodifferentiation of the GEJ esophageal epithelium. It was proved by remains of acid mucins (syalomucins) which are untypical for mature esophageal epithelium. Thus, the obtained data on the histological features of the GEZ epithelial differon in the prenatal period of ontogenesis will improve the accuracy of diagnosis and assessment of pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the GEJ.

COMPARATIVE HISTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF MUCINS EXPRESSION IN FETAL ESOPHAGUS AND ADENOCARCINOMAS OF THE GASTROESOPHAGEAL JUNCTION

To study and compare the expression patterns of mucins in the fetal gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) region and adenocarcinomas of the GEJ in adults using histochemical method. To reveal the expression of different mucins, tissue sections from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of fetal GEJ and carcinomas of GEJ were stained by the following histological stains: hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), alcian blue (AB), pH 2.5, combined AB-PAS, and combined AB-Aldehyde Fuchsin (AB/AF). Expression of mucins within the developing fetal GEJ has been demonstrated (gestational age 5-38 weeks). We studied histochemical features of neoplastic cells in carcinomas of GEJ from 90adult patients. The results showed that in gastric type expression of neutral mucins dominated especially in well differentiated (G1) adenocarcinomas and corresponded to the last three months of GEJ development, while in the intestinal and mixed type significant acid mucins expression was detected in moderate (G2) and poorly (G3) differentiated adenocarcinomas and corresponded to 17-25weeks of GA. No significant coincidence in mucins expression was observed in signet ring cell carcinomas in relation to GA. Our data suggest that decrease of neutral mucins level can be considered reliable phenotypic marker of poor prognosis of GEJ adenocarcinomas. Study of the developmental expression of mucin genes may improve understanding of the malignant transformation of esophageal tissue.

Analysis of stromal mucin in oral epithelial dysplasia & oral squamous cell carcinoma- A histochemical study

BackgroundMucins are glycoproteins that act as a selective molecular barrier and its alterations usually accompany the carcinogenesis. AimTo evaluate the transition of mucins in the grades of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using histochemical stains. Materials & MethodA total of 66 samples of variable grades of OED and OSCC and each section was stained with PAS, Alcian blue- PAS (AB-PAS) and Aldehyde fuschin – Alcian blue (AF-AB). Mucins pattern and intensity were examined at 5 randomly selected fields on 10x magnification. Results1. PAS stain – Predominantly OED and OSCC showed a diffuse pattern with a gradual decrease in intensity in OED and overall a weak intensity in OSCC. 2. AB-PAS stain – Neutral mucins showed gradual increase in its intensity in grades of OED and OSCC with no predominant pattern. The intensity for the acid mucins remains weak in all the grades of OED and OSCC with diffuse distribution, except in higher grades of OED and OSCC. 3. AF- AB stain - For sulphated mucins, in OED a focal and diffuse pattern was observed in OSCC with minimal intensity. The carboxylated mucin was absent in both. ConclusionMucins undergo change in its pattern and intensity in varying grades of OED/OSCC. Although in GIT and other mucosa, the expression of altered mucin is a recognized factor, seldom research has been done in OED and OSCC. Thus, the present study could be the stepping stone in the exploration of mucinous alteration in OED and OSCC.

Biological aspects of the tongue morphology of wild-captive WWCPS rats: a histological, histochemical and ultrastructural study

The aim of this study was to characterise the tongue in wild-type rats using several microscopic techniques. Warsaw Wild Captive Pisula Stryjek (WWCPS) rats belong to a lineage of wild-caught rats. The study was carried out on tongues of 15 male and 15 female WWCPS rats. Histological, histochemical and ultrastructural studies were carried out. There were no significant differences between the male and female WWCPS rat tongues. There was a median groove approximately 1 cm long in the apex of the tongue that faded caudally. The intermolar prominence was clearly marked in the distal part of the lingual body. Lingual mechanical papillae located on the surface of the tongue formed four subtypes based on their shape: small filiform papillae, giant filiform papillae, thin elongated filiform papillae and wide filiform papillae. Gustatory papillae formed the second group of papillae and were divided into bud-shaped fungiform papillae, a single vallate papilla surrounded by an incomplete papillary groove and foliate papillae, which were a well-formed and composed of several pairs of folds divided by longitudinal grooves. In the posterior lingual glands (mucoserous and serous), acidic sulphated mucin-secreting cells gave a strong AB pH 2.5 positive reaction, and a positive reaction with the AB pH 1.0 stain for acidic carboxylated mucin. Double AB/PAS staining showed the presence of the majority of mucous cells with predominant of acidic mucins. Positive PAS staining showed the presence of neutral mucin. HDI staining demonstrated a weak positive reaction within Weber’s glands of the WWCPS rat tongue.

Thyroid hormones increase stomach goblet cell numbers and mucin expression during indomethacin induced ulcer healing in Wistar rats

BackgroundGastric ulcers are mucosal discontinuities that may extend into the mucosa, submucosa or even deeper. They result from an imbalance between mucosal aggressors and protective mechanisms that include the mucus bicarbonate layer. Thyroid hormones have been shown to accelerate gastric ulcer healing in part by increasing the adherent mucus levels. However, the effects of thyroid hormones on goblet cell numbers and expression of neutral and acidic mucins during ulcer healing have not been investigated.MethodsThirty six adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups each with six animals. Group 1 (normal control) and group 2 (negative control) were given normal saline for eight weeks. Groups 3 and 4 were given 100 μg/kg per day per os of thyroxine so as to induce hyperthyroidism. Groups 5 and 6 received 0.01% (w/v) Propylthiouracil (PTU) for 8 weeks so as to induce hypothyroidism. After thyroid hormonal levels were confirmed using radioimmunoassay and immunoradiometric assays, ulcer induction was done using 40 mg/kg intragastric single dose of Indomethacin in groups 2, 3 and 5. Stomachs were extracted after day 3 and 7 of ulcer induction for histological examination. Histochemistry was carried out using Periodic Acid Shiff and Alcian Blue. The number of acidic and neutral goblet cells were determined by counting numbers per field. Mucin expression (%) was determined using Quick Photo Industrial software version 3.1.ResultsThe numbers of neutral goblet cells (cells/field) increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the ulcer+thyroxine (14.67 ± 0.33), thyroxine (17.04 ± 1.71) and ulcer+PTU (12.89 ± 1.06) groups compared to the normal control (10.78 ± 1.07) at day 3. For the acidic goblet cells, differences between treatment groups were more pronounced at day 7 between the ulcer+thyroxine (22.56 ± 1.26) and thyroxine (22.89 ± 0.80). We further showed that percentage expression of both neutral and acidic mucins was significantly higher in the ulcer+thyroxine (9.23 ± 0.17 and 6.57 ± 0.35 respectively) and thyroxine groups (9.66 ± 0.21 and 6.33 ± 0.38 respectively) as compared to the normal control group (4.08 ± 0.20 and 4.38 ± 0.11 respectively) at day 3 after ulcer induction.ConclusionThis study confirms the role played by thyroid hormones in healing of indomethacin induced gastric ulcers. The study further demonstrates increased numbers of both neutral and acidic goblet cells and the increase in expression of both neutral and acidic mucins during healing of indomethacin induced ulcers.

Papillary Architecture and Functional Characterization of Mucosubstances in the Sheep Tongue.

This research aimed to reveal the general morphology and topographic distribution of lingual papillae, epithelial characteristics, mucosal structure, and glands with their mucin content in the sheep tongue, with consideration of species-specific characteristics. The tongues of ten sheep were analyzed for this purpose. Filiform and fungiform papillae existed within the borders of the ventral surface of the lingual apex. The majority of the filiform papillae had multiple secondary projections. Fungiform papillae were also seen on the lingual torus among lenticular papillae, as well as 6 to 10 circumvallate papillae arranged on its caudal border. The species-specific details of the general anatomical structure of the tongue were determined and, in general, the papillary organization in the sheep was similar to goats, while the papillary organization also was similar to features with deer species, specifically the filiform papilla from the mechanical papillae and fungiform papilla from the gustatory papillae. Neutral and weak sulfated mucins and N-acetyl sialomucins were located in seromucous glands, salivary duct epithelium and von Ebner's glands. Carboxylated acid mucins and N-acetyl sialomucins were not present in seromucous and von Ebner's glands. In seromucous glands, MUC1, MUC5AC, and MUC6 localized only in epithelial cells of ducts, whereas MUC2 localized in both glandular and ductal epithelial cells. All MUCs were present in both von Ebner's glands and salivary ducts. We showed that this mucin composition, may serve as a physical barrier in the initial section of the digestive system. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of yeast based toxin binder supplementation on growth performance and intestinal microarchitecture in male buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis) exposed to different concentrations of Aflatoxin B1.

The purpose of study was to analyze the effects of yeast based toxin binder (YTB) on growth performance and intestinal microarchitecture of buffalo calves exposed to different concentrations of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Male buffalo calves (n=72) having no disease exposure in the last four months, aged 10 ± 1 months and weighing 150 ± 12.22 kg (Mean ± standard deviation)were purchased from a buffalo calf fattening farm and divided in 8 equal groups (n=9 animals in each group). Animals that were fed common basal diet and basal diet along with yeast cell wall based toxin binder (YTB) and had no exposure to AFB1 were served as controls. Different concentrations of AFB1 (6mg, 8mg and 10mg per kg of feed) were given to 27 animals, similarly 2mg of YTB (per kg of contaminated feed) was added to concentrate with different AFB1 concentrations and fed to another 27 animals. Average daily gain of each animal was recorded. Animals were slaughtered after 27 days and intestinal segments from duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon were collected which were stained with hematoxylin/eosin or combined alcian blue and periodic acid schiff stain. Average daily gain and intestinal morphometric parameters (villus height, villus width, crypt depth and surface area) in all the selected intestinal segments decreased (P&lt;0.05) whereas, intraepithelial lymphocytes, goblet cells (having acidic and neutral mucins) and proliferative cells increased (P&lt;0.05) with AFB1 exposure. It was also observed that YTB neutralized (P&lt;0.05) the harmful effects of AFB1 on intestinal morphology, boosted activity of goblet cells and decreased (P&lt;0.05) number of proliferative cells. It was concluded that YTB supplementation is advantageous in eliminating the negative effects of AFB1 on gut of buffalo calves.

The histological structure and histochemistry of the mucosa of the nasal conchae in geese, Anser anser

We investigated the histological structure and histochemistry of the nasal conchae of geese and compared these structures with those of other avian species. The rostral, middle and caudal conchae were dissected from the nasal cavity of eight geese, fixed in Carnoy’s solution and embedded in paraffin. The entrance of the rostral concha was lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, which toward the middle concha was replaced by modified keratinized squamous epithelium, the deep layer of which opened into tubular glandular structures containing secretory epithelium on crypt-like invaginations. The lamina propria of the rostral concha contained numerous Grandry’s and Herbst corpuscles, which are pressure-sensitive receptors peculiar to waterfowl. The lamina propria of the middle concha contained solitary lymphoid follicles and lymphocyte infiltrations. The cartilaginous component of the middle concha was highly convoluted and resembled a spiral of two and a half scrolls, which were lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium. We observed that unlike mammals, this epithelium contained mostly intraepithelial alveolar glands rather than goblet cells. The caudal concha was similar to the middle concha, but less convoluted. It was lined by olfactory epithelium and its lamina propria contained serous Bowman’s glands as well as olfactory nerve fibers. Histochemical examination demonstrated that while none of the conchae contained sulfated mucins, except for the cartilage, the intraepithelial glands of the rostral and middle conchae contained mostly carboxylated acidic mucin and some neutral mucin, and were thus of the mixed type. The outermost scroll of the spiral of the middle concha contained some periodate-Schiff stained mucins. Of the glands of the mucosa of the middle concha, the deep tubuloalveolar glands in the convex parts of the scrolls contained primarily acidic mucins, while the shallow intraepithelial alveolar glands in the concave parts of the scrolls contained primarily neutral mucins. Our findings indicate that the rostral and caudal conchae primarily have a sensory function and the middle concha participates in mucosal defense.