No abstract available.
Cartilage, Articular* ; Knee* ; Osmium Tetroxide* ; Synovial Membrane*

The effects of tear gas, o -chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) on the cytoplasmic organelles were studied in the ciliated cell of rat tracheal epithelium. Albino rats (Sprague -Dawley strain), weighing about 150gm, were used as experimental animals. The experimental animals were exposed to 2.0 g/m 3 of CS gas for 20 minutes per day for the succesive 3 days. The experimental animals were sacrified at 1, 3, 6, 12 hours and 1, 3 and 5 days after final exposure to CS gas. Specimens obtained from the trachea were pre -fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde -2.5% paraformaldehyde and post -fixed in the 1% osmium tetroxide for electron microscopic study. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In 1 hour CS gas exposed group, rough endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisternae, and mitochondria with disrupted double membrane in the ciliated cells are found. 2. In 3 hours and 6 hours CS gas exposed groups, dilated, segmented and sacculated cisterane of rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria with dissolved cristae and disrupted double membrane, and Golgi complex with atrophied cisternae are observed in the ciliated cell. 3. In 12 hours CS gas exposed group, some mitochondria with swollen cristae is found in the ciliated cell. 4. In 1 day CS gas exposed group, mitochondria with dissolved cristae, Golgi complex with hypertrophied cisternae, and autophagic vacuole are found. 5. In 3 day and 5 day CS gas exposed groups, numerous mitochondria, well -developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, and supranuclear Golgi complex are found in ciliated cell. The results of the present study suggest that the o -chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) gas is cytotoxic to the ciliated cells in tracheal epithelium inducing some degenerative changes, which are recovered with the lapse of time.
Animals ; Cytoplasm* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Epithelium* ; Glutaral ; Golgi Apparatus ; Membranes ; Mitochondria ; Organelles* ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Rats* ; Tear Gases ; Trachea ; Vacuoles

BACKGROUND: The stratum corneum(SC) has a permeability barrier function which regulates percutaneous absorption by the inhibition of transepidermal water loss(TEWL). Acute mechanical or chemical disruption of the SC induces the impairment of the permeability barrier and so increases the TEWL. The calciumtion has been recognized as an important ion in the recovery of the skin barrier. Recently the main delivery pathway of iontophoretic drugs have been suggested by SC interstices. However the morphologic changes in the SC interstices and calcium after iontophoresis have not been reported. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to confirm that iontophoresis may induce changes in the SC interstices and delay the recovery of the barrier after disruption. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After tape stripping the hairless mouse flank skin, the iontophoresis power supply (6V, 0.6mA) was connected to the patch atiached for 2.5 hours to the stripped site. We checked the THWL 0, 2.5, 6, 12, 18, 24 hours after the tape stripping and obtained specimens and performed osmium tetroxide, ruthenium tetroxide postfixation and calcium ion-capture cytochemical stains for electron microscopic study. RESULTS: The recovery rate of the TEWL in iontophoresis was lower than in the control. This was especially so in the anouse which had received anode iontophoresis for 6 hours. It showed statistically lower TEWL than in the control(p<0.05). Anode iontophoresis induced low calcium in stratum granulosum (SG), but cathode iontophoresis induced high calcium in SC. After iontophoresis there were changes in the SC interstices structures. CONCLUSION: Iontophoresis can induce changes in the SC interstices and calcium distribution and so may help the topical drug delivery system.
Animals ; Calcium ; Coloring Agents ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Electric Power Supplies ; Electrodes ; Iontophoresis* ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Permeability ; Ruthenium ; Skin ; Skin Absorption

BACKGROUND: Prolonged exposure of topical and systemic corticosteroid to skin can result in well-recognized cutaneous abnormalities including cutaneous atrophy, easy bruisibility, increased skin fragility, and increased risk of infection. Skin barrier impairment is also reported as a steroid-induced side effect. A major function of the skin is the formation of a permeability barrier between the external milieu and the organism. Recent studies have shown that chronic corticosteroid negatively impacts epidermal barrier function. As well as this topical corticosteroid not only has antiproliferative actions but also inhibits the differentiation of the epidermis, resulting in structural defects in the epidermis. OBJECT: We wanted to determine whether high dose systemic steroid injection would display adverse effects, specifically on; epidermal functions, permeability barrier homeostasis and stratum corneum integrity and cohesion. The basis for such changes was also to be determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systemic steroid was administered by injecting each hairless mouse, 8-10 week of age, intraperitoneally with 0.3 mg triamcinolone acetonide, two times per week for five weeks. For the controlled hairless mice, 0.9% normal saline was administered by the same method of injection. Every week, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was checked and skin biopsies were taken. Skin specimens were prepared for electron microscopy using both 0.25% ruthenium tetroxide and 4% osmium tetroxide postfixation. For light microscopy staining hematoxylin-eosin and ion capture cytochemistry was used. RESULTS: The results were as follows; 1. From about 1 week onwards, high dose systemic steroid usage produced visible cutaneous changes and significantly increased the TEWL in the group of 0.3 mg triamcinolone acetate injected hairless mice compared with the control. 2. Light microscopic observations of the steroid-injected hairless mice showed gradual thinning of the epidermis from about 2 weeks onwards, compared with the control. Loss of stratum corneum was also observed in the steroid injected hairless mice. 3. The ruthenium tetroxide staining of high dose systemic steroid treated specimens revealed that the lipid bilayer was impaired and fragmented from about 3 weeks. Intercellular spaces were widened and the lipid bilayer either disappeared or showed damage when compared with the control. 4. From about 3weeks onwards. electron microscopic studies revealed, not only a marked decrease in the number of lamellar bodies, but also an abnormal transformation of lamellar bodies in the steroid injected hairless mice compared with the control. 5. Throughout the five weeks, the calcium gradient gradually disappeared in the 0.3mg triamcinolone injected hairless mice compared with the control. Consequently, high dose systemic steroid use results in barrier dysfunction and morphological abnormalities.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Calcium ; Epidermis ; Extracellular Space ; Histocytochemistry ; Homeostasis ; Lipid Bilayers ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Permeability ; Ruthenium ; Skin* ; Triamcinolone ; Triamcinolone Acetonide

BACKGROUND: The stratom corneum lipids, responsible for the epidermal water bar rier, consist mainly of ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids. However, little has been studied about the effects of non-polar, polar and mixed organic solvents on the changes of the stratum corneum lipids bilayer. OBJECTIVE: We designed this study in order to investigate the effect of non-polar, polar and mixed organic solvents on the lipids bilayer in hairless mice. METHODS: Twenty four hairless mice were evenly divided into 4 groups; a control group, chloroform treated group, methanol treated group and mixed solvent(chloroform/methanol(2:1) ) treated gr oup. The changes in transepidermal water loss, as measured with an evaporimeter, were recorded after topical application of either chloroform, methanol or mixed solvents at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours respectiveh. For electron microscopy, the skin samples taken from the mice of ea.:h group were t.rented with osmium tetroxide and ruthenium tetroxide after the treatment with each solvent. RESULTS: The results were as follows ; 1. From 0 to 24 hours after treatment with each solvent transepidermal water loss was significantly increased in the chloroform and the mixed solvent[chloroform/methanol(2:1)] treated groups, compared to the methanol treated group and control group(P<0.001). 2. 48 hours after treatment with each solvent, the differences in the values of transepidermal water loss in all groups were insignificant. 3. On electronmicroscopic examination, separation of intercellular lipid bilayers and a decrease in the numher of lamellar bodies were more severe in the chloroform treated and mixed solvent (chloroform/methanol(2:1)] treated groups than in the methanol treated group. Application of non-polar organic solvents, especially mixed solvents[chloroform/methanol(2:1)] resulted in an increase in transepidermal water loss and greater structural changes than with polar organic solvents. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that non-polar lipids may play a more important role in the protection of water vaporization of the stratum corneum lipids barrier than polar lipids.
Animals ; Ceramides ; Chloroform ; Cholesterol ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; Lipid Bilayers ; Methanol ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Ruthenium ; Skin* ; Solvents* ; Steam

BACKGROUND: Stratum corneum lipids are arranged as intercellular membrane bilayers presumed to mediate the epidermal permeability barrier. Acute disruption in barrier function will initiate epidermal lipid synthesis, which can be prevented by occlusive membrane. Whereas, occlusion of the skin is known to cause an increased transepidermal water loss(TEWL) and enhanced percutaneous absorption of a variety of compounds. OBJECTIVE: Previous reports with electron microscopy showed varying sizes of lacunae and disorganized intercorneocyte lipids after tape stripping and occlusion with a water impermeable membrane on the murine skin. Hence we studied the effects on stratum corneum lipids and changes in barrier function after occlusion with a water-impermeable membrane. METHODS: Male hairless mice were occluded with one finger of a Latex glove for 24, 48 and 60 hours. After occlusion, TEWL was measured and biopsy specimens were taken from skin. For electron microscopic examination the samples were treated with osmium tetroxide, ruthenitum tetroxide, and tracer (lanthanum) and infrared spectroscopy were also applied. RESULTS: Occlusion with a water-impermeable membrane on the skin induced higher TEWL Values and greater penetration of the tracer than normal. Alterations of the lipid bilayer membrane and lacunae forwation in the stratum corneum interstices were also induced after 24 hours of occlusion. However, the orderness of the lipid alkyl chain in the stratum corneum was not changed until 60 hours of occlusion. CONCLUSION: These studies indicate that the increased epidermal permeability after occlusion may be due to the abnormal lipid membrane structures and volume expansion of existing lacunar domains in the stratum corneum interstices.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Fingers ; Humans ; Lanthanum ; Latex ; Lipid Bilayers ; Male ; Membranes ; Mice ; Mice, Hairless* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Permeability ; Skin ; Skin Absorption ; Spectrum Analysis ; Water

This experiment was performed to evaluate the morphological responses of 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin C on the spleen of the mice. 5-fluorouracil (60 mg/kg) or mitomycin C (400 microgram/kg) were injected subcutaneously every other day, and the animals were sacrificed at 1 week and 2 weeks following the first injection. Pieces of the tissue were taken from the spleen, fixed in 10% neutral formalin for light microscopy. The paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson-trichrome, Bielschowsky's silver impregnation or aldehydefuchsin. For electron microscopy, the tissues were prefixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde followed by post-fixed with 1% osmium tetroxide. The ultrathin sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. The observed results were as follows: 1. On histological study, in the mitomycin C treated group, macrophages which contain pyknotic nuclei were observed more frequently than in those of 5-fluorouracil treated group. 2. In the 5-fluorouracil treated group, positive reactions to Masson-trichrome and Bielschowsky's silver impregnation were observed in the splenic capsule and traculae at the 1 week, and weak postive stains were observed at the 2 weeks. 3. In the mitomycin C and the 5-fluorouracil group, positive staining reaction to aldehyde-fuchsin were observed in splenic capsule, trabeculae and around artery at the 1 week and 2 weeks. 4. On the ultrastructural study, distended cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticula were observed frequently at 1 week. 5. In the mitomycin C treated group, myelin figures in the lymphocytes and reticular cells were observed more frequently than in those of 5-fluorouracil treated group. From the above results, it was concluded that lymphocytes and reticular cells of the spleen were slightly damaged by 5-fluorouracil or mitomycin C, and mitomycin C seems more harmful on the spleen than 5-fluorouracil does.
Animals ; Arteries ; Citric Acid ; Coloring Agents ; Fluorouracil* ; Formaldehyde ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Mitomycin* ; Myelin Sheath ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Paraffin ; Silver ; Spleen*

AG60, a recently introduced anti-cancer compound, was reported to show highly effective anti-cancer activities, when injected with doses from 30 mg/kg to 5 mg/kg.The purpose of this study was to know the lower effective doses of AG60, and to give the informations for preparing more advanced therapeutic tools for anti-cancer war. Ehrlich cancer cells were inoculated in the subcutaneous tissue of inguinal region of ICR mice, and saline (treated control groups) or AG60 (experimental groups) were injected daily. Animals of experimental groups were injected subcutaneously with doses of 0.2 mg/kg, 0.5 mg/kg, 1.0 mg/kg, or 2.0 mg/kg body weight, according to their subgroups. Five mice from each subgroup were sacrificed on 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks following the first injection. Seventy minutes before sacrifice, each mouse was injected with 0.7 microCi/g body weight of 3H-thymidine (Amersham Lab.) through tail vein. After sacrifice, cancer masses were fixed in 10% formalin solution for autoradiography and light microscopy, and in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solution, followed by post-fixation in 2% osmium tetroxide solution, for electron microscopy. The observed results were as follows: Autoradiographic observations show, 1. Labelled cancer cell indices of the experimental groups received AG60 were decreased around to 80% (0.2 mg/kg), to 74% (0.5 mg/kg), to 75~60% (1.0 mg/kg), and to 70~50% (2.0 mg/kg), as compared with those of the controls. 2. The contents of silver grains were dramatically decreased nearly to 35% (0.2 mg/kg), to 20% (0.5 mg/kg), to 21~16% (1.0 mg/kg), and to 20~15% (2.0 mg/kg), as compared with those of the controls. 3. Total granular content in 100 cancer cells on the third week of the experiment decreased nearly to 30% (0.2 mg/kg), to 15% (0.5 mg/kg), to 10% (1.0 mg/kg), and to 8% (2.0 mg/kg), as compared with those of the controls. Histological observations show, 1. AG60 induces large amount of apoptosis on Ehrlich cancer cells. 2. Following the treatment with AG60, multinuclear cells or giant cells were increased in number. Comparing by autoradiography and histology, multinuclear or giant cells were interpreted as those cells supplied by poor amounts of thymidine, or almost no new DNA content. Electronmicroscopic readings show, 1. AG60 induces numerous macroclefts and microclefts within the nuclei of Ehrlich cancer cells. 2. AG60 induces numerous apoptosis among Ehrlich cancer cells. 3. Apoptotic bodies are phagocytosed by adjacent cancer cells or by macrophages. From the above results, AG60 is expected to be a very successful anti-cancer candidate. And it is suggested that combined or cocktail therapy including AG60 may greatly improve the anti-cancer therapy on certain kind of cancer.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Autoradiography ; Body Weight ; Edible Grain ; DNA* ; Formaldehyde ; Giant Cells ; Macrophages ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Reading ; Silver ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Thymidine ; Veins

This experiment was performed to study the morphological responses of the thymic cortex of the mice after administration of BCG. Healthy adult mice weighing 25gm each were divided into normal and experimental groups. BCG[0.03X108-0.32X108 CFU] were injected subcutaneously to the animals every other day, and animals were sacrificed at 4 days, 1 week, 2 weeks and 8 weeks following the first injection. Thymus were removed immediately after sacrifice and transferred to cold phosphate buffered 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solution[pH 7.3], and cut into small pieces. Tissue samples were fixed for 2-3 hours in the same fixative, postfixed with phosphate buffered 1% osmium tetroxide solution[pH 7.3], dehydrated in a graded series of alcohol, and embedded in araldite mixture. Ultrathin sections stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate were observed with a JEM 100CX-II electron microscope. The observed results were as follow : 1. In the early BCG treated groups, a few eosinophile leucocytes were observed, but more eosinophils were observed in later groups. Some elongated and bar-shaped lysosomes with eletron lucent gap were often obserced in the macrophages. 2. Cortical population of thymocytes in the thymus were reduced, whereas territoris of the epithelial reticular cells were expanded especially in 2 weeks and 8 weeks groups. Some portion of the thymic cortex exhibited large intercellular spaces, and a few nuclear bodies filled with materials of medium density were observed in the epithelial reticular cells. 3. In the 8 weeks groups, macrophages, plasma cells and eosinopile leucocytes and developing eosinophile leucocytes were often observed in the thymic cortex. Distended cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticula and newly forming prosecretory granulses in the Golgi complex were ovserved in som plasma cells. From the above results, it was suggested that repeated treatment with BCG could induce disturb the maturation and differentiation of the T lymphocytes. In turn, BCG, if repeatedly injected, may disturb the immunological medchanism.
Adult ; Animals ; Citric Acid ; Eosinophils ; Extracellular Space ; Golgi Apparatus ; Humans ; Lysosomes ; Macrophages ; Mice* ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Osmium Tetroxide ; Plasma Cells ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymocytes ; Thymus Gland

In cancer therapy, immunological disorder is one of most severe problem. Since thymic cortex is the home of T-cell proliferation and "education", thymic morphology following administration of certain drugs can be used as a parameter of immunological safety of the drug. In this study, morphology of thymic cortex, following administration of 5-fluorouracil or AG60, was studied. AG60 is a newly developed anti-cancer remedy, the compound of acriflavine and guanosine (1 : 1). ICR mice were subcutaneously inoculated with Ehrlich carcinoma cells (10(7) cells/mouse) in their inguinal areas. Each mouse in 5-fluorouracil group was injected subcutaneously with a single dose of 30 mg/kg of 5-fluorouracil every other day, and the mouse in AG60 group, with 30 mg/kg of AG60 (Taerim Pharm. Co., Seoul) every other day. The control mouse was injected with saline. The mice were sacrificed on the day after 7th injection. Tissues of thymic cortices were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solution (0.1 M Millonig's phosphate buffer, pH 7.3), and refixed in 2% osmium tetroxide solution (0.1 M Millonig's phosphate buffer, pH 7.3). Tissue blocks were dehydrated, and were embedded in araldite mixture. For the overview-comparison, semithin sections stained with toluidine blue solution were photographed. And the typical portions were cut with ultratome, stained and observed with electron microscope. In light microscopy, thymic cortical morphology of AG60-injected mouse was similar with that of control mouse. But the cortical morphology of 5-fluorouracil-injected mouse was impressively different from those of the control or AG60 group mice. Thymocytes in the thymic cortex of 5-fluorouracil-injected mice were severely depleted. In electron microscopy, thymocytes in the thymic cortices of the control or AG60 group mice were crowded, and small groups of thymocytes were surrounded by the cytoplasmic processes of epithelial reticular cells. Mitotic figures were randomly seen. Thymocytes of 5-fluorouracil-injected mouse were naked out from the epithelial reticular cells, and were completely depleted out from the cortex composed mainly of enlarged epithelial reticular cells. Numerous microvilli were protruded from the naked thymocytes. The results were interpreted as that 5-fluorouracil induce leukopenia, and homing of lymphocytes to thymic cortex is severely depressed. 5-fluorouracil also disturb the normal protective and supportive function of epithelial reticular cells for thymocytes. Whereas the complex of acriflavine-guanosine compound (AG60) is immunologically safe, as seen in thymic cortical morphology.
Acriflavine ; Animals ; Cytoplasm ; Fluorouracil* ; Guanosine ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Leukopenia ; Lymphocytes ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microvilli ; Osmium Tetroxide ; T-Lymphocytes ; Thymocytes ; Tolonium Chloride