Some aspects of the development of chronic cor pulmonale have been presented. Special attention has been paid to the possibility of simultaneous formation of changes in the muscle of both ventricles of the heart and to an increase in the number of capillaries in the myocardium in the early stage of this disease. Angiogenesis, the role of hypoxia and endothelins in the pathogenesis of these changes have been discussed.

Chronic Disease↗

PubMed1998

Overexpression of the nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) in the thyroid follicular tumours. Comparison of the cytological and histopathological examinations.

The aim of the study was to determine the usefulness of the expression of argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region proteins (AgNORs) as a marker of malignancy degree in thyroid follicular tumours. The study used the postoperative material of thyroid glands and cytologic material obtained with fine needle aspiration biopsy. Follicular adenoma, carcinoma and struma nodosa hyperplastica-type changes were analysed. The comparison of the AgNOR parameters examined revealed statistically significant differences between the groups of follicular carcinoma and follicular adenoma, follicular carcinoma and nodular goitre, and between adenoma and nodular goitre. However, the "overlapping" of value ranges was observed between the groups of follicular carcinoma and adenoma, as well as follicular adenoma and nodular goitre. This referred particularly to atypical adenoma parameters found within a non-diagnostic range. No differences were observed in the counts of AgNOR dots between histologic and cytologic material obtained with fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Adenocarcinoma, Follicular↗

PubMed1997

Comparative studies on the effect of TNF-alpha and endotoxin on the ultrastructural picture of pulmonary capillaries in pregnant rabbits.

The aim of the present study was the comparative analysis of morphological changes found in the pulmonary microcirculation of pregnant rabbits in the course of experimental septic shock induced by endotoxin or human recombinant TNF-alpha administration. The experiments used 30 female rabbits, white Dutch, c.3 kg mean body weight. The endotoxin Escherichia coli, serotype S.0127: 138 (Sigma) was applied in a single dose of 100 micrograms/kg b.w. intraperitoneally. The human recombinant TNF-alpha (biological activity 2-4 x 10(7) U/mg of protein) was injected intraperitoneally, also once, in a dose of 100 micrograms/kg b.w. Morphological examinations were based on the ultrastructural analysis in the transmission electron microscope. The ultrastructural analysis revealed no morphological differences between pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits which received TNF-alpha. However, significant differences were observed between animals given TNF-alpha and those given the endotoxin. These differences referred to endothelium damage degree and to the cellular composition of inflammatory infiltrations. More severe damage to endothelial cells (necrosis inclusive) was observed in the endotoxin-treated rabbits. Blood vascular lumen in these animals showed cellular aggregation, of neutrophils and platelets in particular as well as microthrombi. An increased tendency towards the development of these changes was noted in pregnant rabbits. The lumen of pulmonary capillaries in TNF-alpha treated animals showed domination of monocytic cells. Features of endothelial cell stimulation were observed, although without a tendency to form microthrombi.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

The ethanol effect on lung metastases development in experimental Morris 5123 hepatoma.

The experiment was carried out on 45 male Wistar rats which were divided into 3 groups: group I-15 rats which were given water to drink during the experiment, group II-15 rats obtaining 10% ethanol solution during the experiment and group III-15 rats obtaining 20% ethanol solution during the experiment. All animals were injected 0.3 ml suspension of hepatoma Morris 5123 cells directly to the liver on the 14th day of the experiment. After the 9 weeks of the experiment the animals from all groups were narcotized, decapitated and the lungs were taken into the morphometric, histological and ultrastructural examinations. They showed that ethanol has a stimulating effect on formation and development of hepatoma Morris 5123 in rat lungs. The increase of number and extensiveness of metastases as well as the increase of mean metastases focuses volume, and the increase of lung weight in animals which obtained ethanol are the exponent of the influence. On the basis of ultrastructural examinations, it can be noted that promoting activity of ethanol can be connected: a) with the increase of neoplastic cells activity, b) with changes appearing in pulmonic epithelium and endothelium of vessel enabling neoplastic cells to adhere to basal membrane as well as their crossing the vessel wall.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1997

Contribution of capillary endothelium to the processes of pulmonary tissue rebuilding in the course of acute enzymatic lung injury.

Ultrastructural analysis was made of the pulmonary capillary endothelial cells, with special regard paid to their possible contribution to the processes of pulmonary tissue rebuilding initiated by intratracheal infusion of a proteolytic enzyme-papain. Experimental animals (male Wistar rats) were additionally given BCG vaccine in doses activating the alveolar macrophage system. The study was performed after 1 day, and 1, 4 and 12 weeks following papain administration. In the animals given BCG vaccine, ultrastructural exponents of endothelial cell activation were found. Cumulation of inflammatory cells, mainly monocytes, was observed in vascular lumen. Application of papain solution to animals caused a number of damaging and exudative changes, being most pronounced within vascular endothelium in animals simultaneously given BCG vaccine. In later periods, rebuilding and productive processes, accompanied by collagen cumulation in the interstitium of interalveolar septa, dominated. In the animals receiving BCG vaccine and papain, ultrastructural pictures indicated active contribution of endothelial cells to the processes of pulmonary tissue rebuilding initiated by intratracheal infusion of the proteolytic enzyme.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Evaluation of the effect of macrophage system activation on the intensity degree of early destructive changes in acute enzymatic lung injury.

The effect of macrophage system activation on the intensity degree of early destructive changes induced with intratracheal infusion of a proteolytic enzyme-papain was evaluated in the paper. The study was carried out on male Wistar rats. BCG vaccine was used as a macrophage system activating substance. Damage degree of the pulmonary tissue was evaluated after 2 hours following papain administration by determining W/D index (wet lungs/dry lungs). Spectrophometric analysis of bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) was made in order to evaluate the advancement of haemorrhagic alterations in the lungs. Damage to the pulmonary tissue was greater in the animals given BCG vaccine and papain, compared with controls and papain treated animals. Differences in the intensity degree of destructive changes assessed using both the W/D index and haemoglobin content in BAL were statistically significant. The results obtained indicate a particular role of activation of the macrophage system in the development of early destructive changes due to intratracheal administration of proteolytic enzymes and point to the significance of these changes in the morphogenesis of experimental lung emphysema.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Primary intracranial malignant fibrous histiocytoma--ultrastructural study.

Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adults with the majority of cases that occur in patients between 50-70 years and 64% of cases occurs in male. Most commonly it arises in extremities (lower 49% and upper 19%), less often in the abdomen (16%) and very rare in head localization (3%) [5]. Typically macroscopically it is a multilobulated, gray-white, fleshy mass between 5-20 cm of diameter. In light microscopy this tumour has a highly variable morphologic pattern and manifests a broad range of histological appearance. It has been classified into the following subtypes: storiform-pleomorphic, myxoid, giant cell, inflammatory and angiomatoid. The first two subtypes are more frequent than others. The aim of this report is to present the electronmicroscopic features of giant cell type of MFH localized in head.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Cyclophosphamide in diffuse lung damage.

Some cyclophosphamide toxic effects on lung tissue are presented. Cyclophosphamide metabolism, pathogenesis of lung damage and morphological lung tissue changes caused by that agent were characterized. Attention was focused on BAL evaluation as a useful method in the monitoring of lung tissue damage degree.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Cyclophosphamide-induced changes of serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity and pulmonary microvessels ultrastructure.

The effect of cyclophosphamide (CP) on the ultrastructure of the lung tissue and the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) in serum was evaluated in rats. The animals were given cyclophosphamide (CP) in a single intraperitoneal dose of 150 mg/kg b.w. ACE activity was evaluated in the blood serum collected from the left ventricle of the heart using the spectrophometric method. In all time subgroups, the CP-receiving animals showed a decrease in ACE activity. Ultrastructural examinations of CP-treated animals revealed increased adhesion of neutrophiles and monocytes to the damage endothelium of the alveolar septa vessels and focally accumulation of the platelets.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Ultrastructure of bone marrow megakaryocytes in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. I. Correlation between ultrastructure of MK nuclei and DNA ploidy.

The correlation was described between the ultrastructural picture and DNA mass content of MK nuclei in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. Significant disproportions were revealed between the morphological pictures and the ploidy of MK nuclei in the successive phases of the shock. Abnormalities of the maturation of marrow MK nuclei were found in the first hours of the shock, being most pronounced in the 24th hour.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Ultrastructure of bone marrow megakaryocytes in experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. II. Correlation between ultrastructure of MK cytoplasm and thrombopoiesis.

Ultrastructural evaluation was performed of the MK cytoplasm in the successive phases of experimental haemorrhagic shock in rats. Qualitative abnormalities were revealed in the intracytoplasmic structures of MK. Platelets in the circulating blood were evaluated. A correlation was found between the changes in the intracytoplasmic organelles and the number and biological activity of blood cells. The results obtained indicate significant disturbances in the functioning of the thrombopoietic system in experimental haemorrhagic shock, which are caused by alterations within the intracytoplasmic structures of MK and lead to platelet production from morphologically differentiated but functionally immature MK.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Comparison of morphological and biochemical changes of BAL-isolated cells in experimental lung emphysema.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the protease and antiprotease activity in the fluid obtained from the culture of cells isolated from the lungs of animals with experimental emphysema. An attempt was made to correlate the results of biochemical examinations with adherence degree and ultrastructural changes of the surface of BAL-isolated cells. The experiment was carried out on male Wistar rats, of 180-220 g b.w. Two i.p. injections of BCG-vaccine (4 x 10(8) microorganisms) on the 1st and 14th day were applied as macrophage mobilizing and activating agent. Papain (2 mg/l ml/100 g b.w.) was given once i.t. on the 21st day. The animals were sacrificed on the 28th day of the experiment. We found a correlation between the increase in the cell adherence and ultrastructural changes (in SEM), suggesting an increased activity of the cells isolated from BCG-treated rats. In the culture medium of cells isolated from the rats which were given BCG or papain and BCG+papain we observed an increased base protease activity and decreased Cathepsin D activity comparing with the control group. Increased antitrypsin activity in the BCG and BCG+papain-treated rats and decreased antitrypsin activity in papain-treated rats only was observed, too. There was no obvious difference in the levels of the antiplasmin and antichymotrypsin activities between the groups. The present results indicate that activated pulmonary macrophages are one of the sources of the protease-antiprotease intraalveolar imbalance. However, an increased production of proteolytic enzymes may not be the only factor responsible for the progression of lung emphysema in BCG-treated rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1995

The effect of activated alveolar macrophages on experimental lung emphysema development. I. Protease and antiprotease activities in the culture medium of alveolar macrophages.

Aim of the present study was to evaluate cathepsin D, base protease, antiplasmin, antitrypsin and antichymotrypsin activities and protein content in the 24h culture medium of the alveolar macrophages (AM) deriving from the rats treated BCG-vaccine and from rats with papain-induced emphysema. In the culture medium of cells isolated from the rats which were given BCG or papain and BCG+papain we observed an increase of base protease activity and a decrease of cathepsin D activity comparing with control group. Increased antitrypsin activity in BCG and BCG+papain-treated rats and decreased antitrypsin activity in papain-treated rats were observed. There were not significant differences in antiplasmin and antichymotrypsin activities between examined groups. The obtained results indicate that activated pulmonary macrophages are one of the sources of the protease-antiprotease intraalveolar imbalance. However, increased production of proteolytic enzymes may not be the only factor responsible for the progression of lung emphysema in BCG-treated rats.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

The effect of activated alveolar macrophages on experimental lung emphysema development. III. Morphological analysis of the lung tissue and alveolar macrophages in situ.

Morphological (in light and transmission electron microscope) as well as morphometrical analysis of the lungs was performed on experimental, papain-induced lung emphysema. Development of emphysematous changes was studied seven days after a single intratracheal instillation of papain solution. The effect of alveolar macrophages (AM) activation by BCG-vaccine on changes in pulmonary tissue was analyzed. In the rats given BCG the number of AM increased and demonstrated enhanced activity. Increase in reticulin fibre density in places of AM cumulation, particularly in BCG+papain-treated rats was observed. The lungs of animals treated with BCG+papain showed enhancing of emphysema comparing with the papain-treated rats. Development of emphysematous changes, especially in BCG+papain-treated rats coexisted with cumulation of activated alveolar macrophages and collagen fibres as well as type II alveolar epithelial cells proliferation. Our data support the inflammatory-repair hypothesis of emphysema pathogenesis and indicate that AM regulate collagen production in the lung. Type II alveolar epithelial cells seem be important in lung injury and repair.

Animals↗