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Background: Direct relation between hypercholesterolemia and hyposalivation was suggested. Phytosterols of herbal origin have been used as prophylactic or curative agents against many disorders. Objectives: Evaluate the protective role of Nigella sativa (Ns) versus Lepidium sativum (Ls) on the histological picture of submandibular salivary glands in hypercholesterolemic albino rat; and its immunomodulatory role of nuclear factor kappa B cell (NF-κB) and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression on the tissues. Materials and method: This study was performed with forty male albino rats, divided into four equal groups as follow: Group 1 (n=10): served as negative control, Group 2 (n=10): were fed with hypercholesteremic supplement (HCS) for 8 weeks. Group 3 (n=10): were fed HCS with oral administration of (Ns) seeds for 8 weeks. Group 4 (n=10): were fed HCS with oral administration of (Ls) seeds suspension for 8 weeks. Results: Histological results of submandibular salivary gland in group 2 revealed severe atrophic and degenerative changes in the secretory terminal portions & ducts. In group 3, the tissues appeared with nearly normal histological structures which reflect the beneficial effects of Ns. In group 4, a lesser degree of improvement was noticed with Ls. Quantitative analysis for α-SMA and NF-κB revealed highly statistically significant decrease in group 3 and 4 in comparison with group 2. Conclusion: The immunohistochemical finding confirmed the histological results of the present study that proved the superior protective effects of Ns rather than Ls seeds against hypercholesterolemia on the submandibular salivary glands of albino rats.

The tongue is a specialized vital organ. It aids in mastication, deglutition and food digestion. It also shares in the perception of taste sensation as it possesses various gustatory papillae. It is being subjected to numerous anatomical and histological examinations aiming at exploring the correlation between its morphological features and animal adaptations to various types of nutrition and environmental conditions. The goal of the present work was to compare the ultrastructural features of the filiform and fungiform papillae of three various mammals possessing different feeding habits; Egyptian mice, fruit bats and long-eared hedgehogs. Specimens were obtained from the tongues of four healthy adult animals from each mammalian type. Tongues were fixed and all the appropriate procedures were done to perform scanning electron microscopic investigation. Scanning electron microscopic examination demonstrated that in mice, there were four different sub-types of filiform papillae (spike, leaf, conical and tongue-shaped). In bats, there were two sub-types (flower and leaf-like) and in hedgehogs, there was only one type (tongue-like). These filiform papillae showed different distribution and orientation. As for the fungiform papillae, they were cylindrical in mice, rounded or conical in bats and dome-shaped in hedgehogs. Fungiform papillae possessed taste pores containing taste buds. Ultrastructural variations of the filiform and fungiform papillae were suggested to be probably due to adaptation to various feeding habits and different environmental conditions of these animals.

Background To prevail over diabetes mellitus and its numerous complications, researchers are seeking new therapies. Exosomes are natural cargo of functional proteins and can be used as a therapeutic delivery of these molecules. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) as a therapeutic intervention in salivary gland diabetic complications. Methods Ten adult healthy male Albino rats, weighing about 150–200 g were grouped into 2 groups. Diabetic group I: consisted of 5 streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Exosomes treated group II: consisted of 5 STZ-induced diabetic rats, each animal received a single injection of exosomes (100 μg/kg/dose suspended in 0.2 ml PBS) through the tail vein. All animals were sacrificed after 5 weeks from the beginning of the experiment. Submandibular salivary gland samples were excised and processed for histological, ultrastructural examination and PCR for TGFβ, Smad2 and Smad3. Blood glucose level was monitored weekly, salivary IgA and serum amylase were evaluated before and after diabetes induction and at the end of the experiment. Results Histological and ultrastructural results of the exosomes treated group were promising regarding the glandular and ductal elements with less fibrosis observed. Results of PCR supported the role of exosomes to inhibit the diabetic sequalae in salivary gland and its complications through inhibiting TGFβ and its related pathway via Smad2 and Smad3. Blood glucose levels were reduced. In addition, salivary glands' function was improved as evidenced by reduction in serum amylase and salivary IgA. Conclusion BM-MSC-derived exosomes could be a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetic complications involving salivary glands., Biological sciences; Cell biology; Biochemistry; Molecular biology; Cancer research; Endocrinology; Organ system; Developmental biology; Pathophysiology; Diabetes mellitus; Salivary gland dysfunction; TGβ/Smad3 signaling; Bone marrow stem cell-derived exosomes.

Background: Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing scope in recent research, it has a widely acceptable range of potential implications in humans, particularly for dentistry. Among various metallic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are considered the most animated and charming nanoparticles that are involved in multiple biomedical applications. Aim: The goal of the current study was to determine the possible biological reparative influences of silver nanoparticles on age changes of the alveolar bone, cementum and periodontal ligaments of rats Material and methods: Forty five male albino rats (fifteen adults aging six months and thirty old aging eighteen months) were divided equally into three groups. Group I (adult age) that get infused with saline intravenously to serve as control group, group II (old age) which also get infused with saline intravenously and group III (old age received an oral dose of silver nanoparticles 100 mg/kg) once daily for 4 weeks. Results: Old age group revealed sever histological alterations as thinning of bone trabeculae and widening of bone marrow cavities. Marked hypercementosis with multiple signs of degeneration in cementum, periodontal ligaments (PDL) and alveolar bone were evident, while old group received silver nanoparticles revealed a considerable improvement of histological features of the tissues under investigation which became nearly similar to that of control group. DEXA examination revealed statistical significant difference in the alveolar bone mineral density between different groups. Conclusion: Oral administration of silver nanoparticles considerably ameliorated most of histological features of alveolar bone, cementum and periodontal ligaments of old rats. Bone mineral density of old rats was improved by silver nanoparticles.

Objective: Enamel defects are remarkable problems frequently observed in offspring of diabetic women. So, the goal of the current work was determination of enamel surface alterations in molars of young rats born to diabetic mothers.Material and Methods: 16 heathy adult female albino rats were equally divided into two groups. Induction of diabetes was done in one group by alloxan and the other group act as control group. Four adult male rats were used for fertilization of both groups. All off springs were sacrificed with an overdose of ether at 6 weeks after birth. SEM examination of the occlusal surfaces of the mandibular first molar teeth was done using environmental scanning electron microscope. Teeth were examined for chemical characterization using Electron Dispersive Analytical X-ray (EDAX).Results: Enamel revealed multiple ultrastructural alterations in diabetic group. By EDAX examination, there was a decrease in the content of calcium and phosphorous in diabetic group as compared with control, altering the calcium to phosphorus ratio.Conclusion: Maternal diabetes had a detrimental influence on the function of ameloblasts in laying down enamel inducing defective enamel.

Objective: The utility of natural, synthetic, or biological chemical factors that hide or inhibit carcinogenic incidence is the aim of cancer chemoprevention. One of the food items that play an important role in cancer chemoprevention is Spirulina platensis (blue green alga). Until now, there is relatively little information on the cancer chemopreventive role of Spirulina platensis (Sp) in animal researches. So, the squamous cell carcinoma can be induced by using 4-nitroquinoline-1 oxide (4-NQO) in tongue mucosa of rats and the chemopreventive efficiency of Spirulina platensis regarding the oral carcinogenesis was examined. Materials and methods: 30 healthy albino rats were equally divided into 3 groups. Group I (rats received normal saline) served as control, Rats of both group II and III received 50ppm 4NQO daily in drinking water for 20 weeks. Spirulina platensis was orally administered to rats of group III at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight, once daily via gastric tube. After 20 weeks of drugs administrations, the histopathological changes were evaluated microscopically. Furthermore, by using the image analyser computer system, the anticarcinogenic potential of Spirulina platensis was examined through the immunohistochemical expressions of cytokeratin 5 in tongue specimens.Results: oral administration of Spirulina platensis considerably reduced the frequency of 4-NQO produced tongue carcinogenesis. A lower percentage of cytokeratin5 immunoexpression was registered in the Spirulina platensis treated group when compared to the carcinogenic group.Conclusion: our results demonstrated that Spirulina platensis can exert chemopreventive effect against tongue carcinogenesis through suppression of cell propagation and promotion of cell adherence.

Background: Multiple oral complications were reported in patients who receive radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Objectives: Investigating the healing power of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells compared to microvesicles on dorsal lingual mucosa in irradiated albino rats.Methods: 30 adult male albino rats were used. Rats were then divided randomly into three groups, 10 rats each. Group A: Irradiated rats received no treatment. Group B: Irradiated rats received a single dose of 1×106 bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) injected intravenously, immediately after irradiation. Group C: Irradiated rats received a single dose of 30 μg microvesicles (derived from bone marrow stem cells) injected intravenously, immediately after irradiation. Each animal group was further divided into two subgroups (5 rats each) according to their date of scarification as follows: Subgroup I: The animals were sacrificed at day 3 following irradiation. Subgroup II: The animals were sacrificed at day 7 following irradiation. After scarification the tongue was dissected and examined histologically, histochemically and by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for keratin 10 expression.Results: Histologically, irradiated groups received no treatment (groups AI&AII) showed marked epithelial and connective tissue degeneration. On the other hand both treated irradiated groups showed marked improved histological features (group B & C) during both experimental periods (3 and 7 days). However the microvesicles treated group demonstrated normal histology especially at 7 days. Histochemical examination using masson´s trichrome stain revealed an increased collagen density in groups (B & C) as compared to group A during both experimental periods. This increase was statistically significant. RT-PCR results showed statistically significant increase in keratin 10 expression in groups (B & C) as compared to group A during experimental periods I & II. Conclusions: Both BM-MSCs and microvesicles showed healing power in atrophied epithelium and connective tissue of dorsal lingual mucosa after radiotherapy, however treatment with microvesicles revealed more positive effect than BM-MSCs.

Background: Aging is a complex natural process including every molecule, cell and organ in the body. In its broadest mean, aging refers to changes that occur during the life span. Some of these changes are not harmful while other increase the risk of diseases. Aim: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the histological and immunohisto- chemical effects of bone marrow derived stem cells on age changes of pulp in albino rats. Material and methods: Forty five (fifteen adults aging six months and thirty olds aging fifteen months) male albino rats were divided into three equal groups. Group I (Adult group) that get infused with saline intravenously to serve as control group, group II (old age group) which also get infused with saline intravenously and group III (old age injected by stem cells). The source of stem cells was from additional fifteen albino rats six weeks old which will be used for isolation and culture of bone marrow stem cells. Results: Old age group revealed sever histological alterations and negative Ki67 expression compared to control group while old group injected by stem cells revealed histological reorganizations of the pulp cells and mild to moderate Ki67 expression that was nearly similar to control group. Conclusion: Intravenous injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells improved the histological features of the pulp compared to old group and also it had a positive proliferating effect by the enhanced expression of Ki67