Histochemical study of intestinal mucins after administration of silver nanoparticles in Sprague-Dawley rats.

To investigate the effects of silver nanoparticles on the histological structure and properties of the mucosubstances in the intestinal mucosa, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (10 rats in each group): vehicle control, low-dose group (30 mg/kg), middle-dose group (300 mg/kg), and high-dose group (1,000 mg/kg), and administered silver nanoparticles (60 nm) for 28 days, following OECD test guideline 407 and using GLP. The control sections contained no silver nanoparticles; however, the treated samples showed luminal and surface particles and the tissue also contained silver nanoparticles. A dose-dependent increased accumulation of silver nanoparticles was observed in the lamina propria in both the small and large intestine, and also in the tip of the upper villi in the ileum and protruding surface of the fold in the colon.

Changes of glycoconjugate expression in nasal respiratory mucosa of rats exposed to welding fumes.

To investigate the effects of welding fumes on the glycoconjugates in nasal respiratory mucosa, male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to manual metal arc stainless steel (MMA-SS) welding fumes at a concentration of 56-76 mg/m(3) total suspended particulate for 2 h/day in an inhalation chamber for 90 days. During the exposure period, the experimental animals were sacrificed after 2 h and 15, 30, 60, and 90 days of exposure; then sections were examined using lectin histochemistry. Some remarkable changes, such as destroyed cilia, desquamation and mucification of epithelial cells, and destruction of nasal septal glands, were seen in the welding fume-exposed groups.

Effects of repeated welding fumes exposure on the histological structure and mucins of nasal respiratory mucosa in rats.

To investigate the effects of welding fumes on the histological structure and properties of mucins of the nasal respiratory mucosa, Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to manual metal arc-stainless steel (MMA-SS) welding fumes at a concentration of 56-76 mg/m3 total suspended particulates for 2 h per day in an inhalation chamber for 90 days. Experimental animals were sacrificed at 2 h, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after exposure. Loss of cilia, desquamation of epithelial cells, mucigenous epithelial cells and destruction of nasal septal glands were observed frequently in the welding fumes-exposed groups.

Effects of electroacupuncture with different frequencies on spinal ionotropic glutamate receptor expression in complete Freund's adjuvant-injected rat.

We investigated expressional changes of spinal glutamate receptors by electroacupuncture (EA) in an inflammatory animal model. Inflammation was induced by an intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the hindpaw of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Bilateral EA stimulation at 2, 15 and 120 Hz was applied at those acupoints corresponding to Zusanli and Sanyinjiao in man using needles with 3-day intervals for 30 days.

Glycoconjugates of the gastric mucosa in cold-treated chipmunks.

During seasonal hibernation, there is reduced gastrointestinal activity, but relatively little is known of the physiology involved. In the present experimental study, male Korean chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus barberi) were maintained in cold conditions (6 degrees C) for 3, 5 or 9 months to mimic conditions occurring during seasonal hibernation. Changes in the composition of glycoconjugates (Gcs) of the gastric mucosa were determined after cold-treatment.