glycogen and Atrophy

Topics: Adenofibroma; Adenoma, Pleomorphic; Alkaline Phosphatase; Atrophy; Basement Membrane; Breast; Breast Diseases; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic; Carcinosarcoma; Endocrine Glands; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Hyperplasia; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth; Myoepithelioma; Myofibrils; Pigments, Biological; Salivary Gland Neoplasms; Sarcoma; Sweat Glands; Water

The aim of the present randomized placebo-controlled single-center study was to assess the efficacy and safety of a new vaginal gel (Meclon Idra - Alfasigma) in the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). The gel is composed of sea buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides) oil, aloe vera, 18β-glycyrrhetic acid, hyaluronic acid and glycogen. The study assessed whether the gel can reduce VVA symptoms (vaginal dryness, itching, burning sensation) and improve sexual function in postmenopausal women over 12 weeks.. Postmenopausal women (n° = 60) reporting VVA symptoms were recruited and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to the gel or placebo. Active vaginal gel or placebo was applied for 14 days and then twice a week for 90 consecutive days.. The Vaginal Health Index (VHI), including vaginal pH, was used to assess changes in objective signs, whereas the self-reported Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to investigate sexual function.. Meclon Idra was effective in reducing vaginal pain, dyspareunia and vaginal pH, with the VHI showing significant improvement at day 90 (P < .0001), and in reducing each VVA symptom (vaginal dryness, vaginal itching, burning sensation) at weeks 2 and 4, and the end of the study (P < .0001). The analysis of FSFI scores showed, after the end of treatment, an improvement of sexual function in the active-treatment group, with a statistically significant increase (P < 0.001) in all domains scores and total score (P < 0.001).. The present single-center randomized clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of 12-week treatment with a new vaginal gel in postmenopausal women with symptoms associated with VVA. Based on this trial, the gel seems to be a valid choice as a single, local agent for relieving VVA symptoms and improving sexual function, and to have good compliance. This trial is registered prospectively with the Clinical Trials Registry - India, number CTRI/2019/05/01911.

Topics: Aged; Atrophy; Double-Blind Method; Dyspareunia; Female; Glycogen; Glycyrrhetinic Acid; Hippophae; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid; Middle Aged; Plant Oils; Plant Preparations; Postmenopause; Treatment Outcome; Vagina; Vaginal Creams, Foams, and Jellies; Vaginal Diseases; Vulva; Vulvar Diseases

The aim of the study was to identify associations between improvement in genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM) and vaginal microbiota, vaginal glycogen, and serum estrogen.. Thirty postmenopausal women enrolled in a hot flash treatment trial (oral estradiol vs venlafaxine vs placebo) who reported GSM and provided vaginal swabs at 0, 4, and 8 weeks were studied. Bacterial communities were characterized using deep sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 region. Participants selected a most bothersome genitourinary symptom (dryness, discharge, pain, itch/burn, or inability to have sex) and rated severity on a 10-point scale at baseline and 8 weeks. Vaginal glycogen and serum estradiol and estrone were measured at enrollment and 8 weeks. Comparisons according to improvement in most bothersome symptom (MBS) were made using χ, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, or Hotelling's t test.. Of 30 participants, 21 (70%) had improvement in MBS over the 8-week study and 9 (30%) had no improvement or worsening of MBS. A higher proportion of women receiving estradiol or venlafaxine reported improvement in MBS (88%, 78%) compared with placebo (54%; P = 0.28). MBS improvement was associated with Lactobacillus-dominant vaginal microbiota at enrollment (57% vs 22%, P = 0.08). Vaginal glycogen, serum estradiol, and estrone significantly increased in women whose MBS improved.. A larger proportion of women whose MBS improved had a Lactobacillus dominant microbiota at enrollment than those who had no improvement during the trial, though this difference was not statistically significant. Larger trials are needed to determine whether vaginal microbiota modify or mediate treatment responses in women with GSM.

Topics: Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; Atrophy; Dyspareunia; Estradiol; Estrogens; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Lactobacillus; Longitudinal Studies; Microbiota; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vagina; Vaginal Diseases; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; Vulvar Diseases

Investigating the therapeutic effect of genistein (Gen) on postmenopausal senile vaginitis (SV) and its mechanism of action. Adult SPF female Wistar rats were selected to establish a bilateral ovariectomized animal model (OVX), which simulated senile vaginitis dominated by estrogen deficiency in ovarian dysfunction. After 14 days of continuous treatment, the morphology of vaginal epithelial tissue was observed and various types of epithelial cells were counted, and the body mass and uterine and vaginal index of rats were measured. the levels of vaginal tissue secretion, microorganism, hormone and glycogen in each group were measured and the reproductive health was evaluated clinically. The protein expression and mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and E-cadherin (E-cadherin) in vaginal tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. Result showed that Genistein lowered vaginal pH, increased vaginal index and vaginal health score, thickened epithelial layers and improved vaginal tissue atrophy after administration. Genistein also increased the contents of glycogen and Lactobacillus in vagina, and promoted the expression of EGF, E-cadherin protein and mRNA. To sum up, there is no significant change in serum E2 and FSH levels, indicating that genistein has no effect on hormone levels in rats. genistein promoted the proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells, thickened epithelial layers and the vaginal wall, which improved the resistance of vaginal epithelium, the recovery of self-cleaning ability and healed the vaginal wound and erosive surface to improve atrophy.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Cadherins; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Genistein; Glycogen; Humans; Ovariectomy; Postmenopause; Rats; Rats, Wistar; RNA, Messenger; Vaginitis

Juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, aka. juvenile Batten disease or CLN3 disease) is a lysosomal storage disease characterized by progressive blindness, seizures, cognitive and motor failures, and premature death. JNCL is caused by mutations in the Ceroid Lipofuscinosis, Neuronal 3 (CLN3) gene, whose function is unclear. Although traditionally considered a neurodegenerative disease, CLN3 disease displays eye-specific effects: Vision loss not only is often one of the earliest symptoms of JNCL, but also has been reported in non-syndromic CLN3 disease. Here we described the roles of CLN3 protein in maintaining healthy retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and normal vision. Using electroretinogram, fundoscopy and microscopy, we showed impaired visual function, retinal autofluorescent lesions, and RPE disintegration and metaplasia/hyperplasia in a Cln3 ~ 1 kb-deletion mouse model [1] on C57BL/6J background. Utilizing a combination of biochemical analyses, RNA-Seq, Seahorse XF bioenergetic analysis, and Stable Isotope Resolved Metabolomics (SIRM), we further demonstrated that loss of CLN3 increased autophagic flux, suppressed mTORC1 and Akt activities, enhanced AMPK activity, and up-regulated gene expression of the autophagy-lysosomal system in RPE-1 cells, suggesting autophagy induction. This CLN3 deficiency induced autophagy induction coincided with decreased mitochondrial oxygen consumption, glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and ATP production. We also reported for the first time that loss of CLN3 led to glycogen accumulation despite of impaired glycogen synthesis. Our comprehensive analyses shed light on how loss of CLN3 affect autophagy and metabolism. This work suggests possible links among metabolic impairment, autophagy induction and lysosomal storage, as well as between RPE atrophy/degeneration and vision loss in JNCL.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Autophagy; Blindness; Cell Line; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Knock-In Techniques; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Glycogen; Humans; Lysosomes; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Microscopy, Electron; Molecular Chaperones; Mutation; Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses; Retinal Pigment Epithelium; RNA, Small Interfering

The involvement of brain glycogen in the progress of chronic stress-induced impairment of hippocampal astrocyte structural plasticity and depression-like behavior is yet to be clarified. The present study designed three experiments to determine the role of brain glycogen in the plasticity and behavioral consequences of chronic stress. Time course studies on brain glycogen, astrocytes, and behavioral responses to stress were conducted in Experiment 1. Chronic stress decreased the hippocampal glycogen levels, reduced astrocytic size and protrusion length in the hippocampus, and induced depression-like behavior. Glycogen synthase 1 mRNA in the hippocampus was silenced by lentiviral vector-based RNA interference (RNAi) in Experiment 2. This RNAi produced a lack of glycogen in the hippocampus, decreased the hippocampal astrocyte size, and induced depressive behavior in rats. The mechanisms of chronic stress-induced brain glycogen decrease were investigated in Experiment 3. Chronic stress promoted hippocampal glycogen breakdown and increased hippocampal glycogen synthesis. Results suggest that decreased glycogen content was associated with chronic stress-induced atrophy of hippocampal astrocyte size and depression-like behavior. Furthermore, the decrease of glycogen content in the hippocampus might be due to the compensation of glycogen synthesis for breakdown in an insufficient manner.

Topics: Animals; Astrocytes; Atrophy; Behavior, Animal; Depression; Disease Models, Animal; Glycogen; Hippocampus; Rats; Stress, Physiological

Diabetes mellitus (DM) during pregnancy is associated with high levels of urinary incontinence (UI) and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Mild DM can lead to changes in urethral striated muscle and extracellular matrix (ECM) in pregnant rats considering both structures as an entire system responsible for urinary continence.. Ninety-two female Wistar rats were distributed in four experimental groups: virgin, pregnant, diabetic, and diabetic pregnant. In adult life, parental nondiabetic female rats were mated with nondiabetic male rats to obtain newborns. At the first day of birth, newborns received citrate buffer (nondiabetic group) or streptozotocin 100 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneous route (mild DM group). At day 21 of the pregnancy, the rats were lethally anesthetized and the urethra and vagina were extracted as a unit. Urethral and vaginal sections were cut and analyzed by: (a) cytochemical staining for ECM and muscle structural components, (b) immunohistochemistry to identify fast- and slow-muscle fibers, and (c) transmission electron microscopy for ultrastructural analysis of urethral striated muscle.. In comparison with the three control groups, variations in the urethral striated muscle and ECM from diabetic pregnant rats were observed including thinning, atrophy, fibrosis, increased area of blood vessels, mitochondria accumulation, increased lipid droplets, glycogen granules associated with colocalization of fast and slow fibers, and a steady decrease in the proportion of fast to slow fibers.. Mild DM and pregnancy can lead to a time-dependent disorder and tissue remodeling in which the urethral striated muscle and ECM has a fundamental function.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Blood Vessels; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Extracellular Matrix; Female; Fibrosis; Glycogen; Lipids; Mitochondria; Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch; Muscle Fibers, Slow-Twitch; Muscle, Striated; Pregnancy; Rats, Wistar; Urethra

In the early recognition of portal vein ligation (PVL) induced tumor progression, positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) could improve diagnostic accuracy of conventionally used methods. It is unknown how PVL affects metabolic patterns of tumor free hepatic tissues. The aim of this preliminary study is to evaluate the effect of PVL on glucose metabolism, using PET/MRI imaging in healthy rat liver.. Male Wistar rats (n=30) underwent PVL. 2-deoxy-2-(18F)fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) PET/MRI imaging (nanoScan PET/MRI) and morphological/histological examination were performed before (Day 0) and 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after PVL. Dynamic PET data were collected and the standardized uptake values (SUV) for ligated and non-ligated liver lobes were calculated in relation to cardiac left ventricle (SUVVOI/SUVCLV) and mean liver SUV (SUVVOI/SUVLiver).. PVL induced atrophy of ligated lobes, while non-ligated liver tissue showed compensatory hypertrophy. Dynamic PET scan revealed altered FDG kinetics in both ligated and non-ligated liver lobes. SUVVOI/SUVCLV significantly increased in both groups of lobes, with a maximal value at the 2nd postoperative day and returned near to the baseline 7 days after the ligation. After PVL, ligated liver lobes showed significantly higher tracer uptake compared to the non-ligated lobes (significantly higher SUVVOI/SUVLiver values were observed at postoperative day 1, 2 and 3). The homogenous tracer biodistribution observed before PVL reappeared by 7th postoperative day.. The observed alterations in FDG uptake dynamics should be taken into account during the assessment of PET data until the PVL induced atrophic and regenerative processes are completed.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Glycogen; Health; Heart Ventricles; Hypertrophy; Ligation; Liver; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Multimodal Imaging; Portal Vein; Positron-Emission Tomography; Radioactive Tracers; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Time Factors; Tissue Distribution

Although androgen receptor (AR) within myocytes is thought to mediate many of the effects of testosterone and other androgens on skeletal muscle, little is known about the functions of AR within these cells. We, therefore, studied the ultrastructure of skeletal muscle of HSA-AR transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress AR selectively in myocytes and exhibit neuromuscular atrophy. We examined male HSA-AR mice from two different founding lines: L78 (lower copy number and less severe phenotype) and L141 (higher copy number and more severe phenotype) and compared these to wild-type (Wt) brothers. We also examined testosterone-treated female mice from these two lines and compared them both to their Wt sisters and to vehicle-treated controls. Ultrastructural examination of extensor digitorum longus sections using transmission electron microscopy revealed remarkably disorganized myofibrils in male Tg and testosterone-treated female Tg mice. Quantification of ultrastructural pathology indicated reduced myofibril width, hypertrophic and hyperplastic intermyofibrillar mitochondria, and pronounced glycogen accumulation in HSA-AR males of both lines. Reduced myofibrillar width and increases in mitochondrial number, size, and volume density were also observed in testosterone-treated HSA-AR females, although glycogen accumulation was not observed. Structural abnormalities in mitochondria were also associated with increases in electron transport chain activity and systemic resting metabolic rate, indicative of hypermetabolism. We find that overexpression of AR in myocytes of HSA-AR mice results in alterations in myofibrils, mitochondria, and glycogen. Alterations in myofibrils and mitochondria appear to result from acute actions of testosterone, whereas those on glycogen do not. Pathology of myofibrils and/or mitochondria may, therefore, mediate in part the neuromuscular atrophy observed in HSA-AR mice.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Basal Metabolism; Electron Transport Chain Complex Proteins; Female; Gene Dosage; Gene Expression; Glycogen; Male; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Mitochondria, Muscle; Muscle Proteins; Muscle, Skeletal; Myofibrils; Neuromuscular Diseases; Receptors, Androgen; Sex Factors; Testosterone

To develop and evaluate the efficacy of diabetes-targeted cell therapies in humans, a reliable model in larger animals is highly desirable. This article reports the surgical technique of total pancreatectomy in pigs and the biochemical analysis of the characteristics of totally pancreatectomized pigs.. Surgical total pancreatectomy was conducted in 23 pigs. Blood glucose, insulin, biochemistries, activity index, and intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) were examined to assess the pathophysiological profiles of diabetic pigs.. A total of 14 pigs successfully underwent total pancreatectomy without requiring biliary reconstruction and were analyzed in the present study. Activity index was decreased from day 5 on and the mean survival of totally pancreatectomized pigs was 7.6 +/- 2.7 days. No endogenous insulin secretion was confirmed in these pigs. Pigs which received total pancreatectomy demonstrated significantly higher levels of ketone bodies. IVGTT performed within 4 days after total pancreatectomy showed a spontaneous decrease in blood glucose levels despite an absence of endogenous insulin secretion. IVGTT on day 5 or later showed continued hyperglycemia in pigs with total pancreatectomy. Histological examination showed atrophy of hepatocytes and decreased glycogen storage in the liver and decreased mucus production of the small intestine.. This article describes a porcine model of diabetes created by total pancreatectomy and it analyzes the pathophysiological profiles in the animals. The present study has suggested that IVGTT on day 5 or later after total pancreatectomy is a reliable method to evaluate the efficacy of cell therapies.

Topics: Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Area Under Curve; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Atrophy; Blood Glucose; Blood Urea Nitrogen; Body Weight; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Diarrhea; Disease Models, Animal; Glucose Tolerance Test; Glycogen; Hepatocytes; Intestinal Mucosa; Ketone Bodies; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Liver; Pancreatectomy; Potassium; Swine

It has been observed that opposite changes in cardiac workload result in similar changes in cardiac gene expression. In the current study, the hypothesis that altered gene expression in vivo results in altered substrate fluxes in vitro was tested. Hearts were perfused for 60 minutes with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing glucose (5 mmol/L) and oleate (0.4 mmol/L). At 30 minutes, either insulin (1 mU/mL) or epinephrine (1 micromol/L) was added. Hearts weighed 35% less after unloading and 25% more after aortic banding. Contractile function in vitro was decreased in transplanted and unchanged in banded hearts. Epinephrine, but not insulin, increased cardiac power. Basal glucose oxidation was initially decreased and then increased by aortic banding. The stimulatory effects of insulin or epinephrine on glucose oxidation were reduced or abolished by unloading, and transiently reduced by banding. Oleate oxidation correlated with cardiac power both before and after stimulation with epinephrine, whereas glucose oxidation correlated only after stimulation. Malonyl-coenzyme A levels did not correlate with rates of fatty acid oxidation. Pyruvate dehydrogenase was not affected by banding or unloading. It was concluded that atrophy and hypertrophy both decrease insulin responsiveness and shift myocardial substrate preference to glucose, consistent with a shift to a fetal pattern of energy consumption; and that the isoform-specific changes that develop in vivo do not change the regulation of key metabolic enzymes when assayed in vitro.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Body Weight; Cardiomegaly; Enzyme Activation; Epinephrine; Fatty Acids; Glucose; Glycogen; Heart; Heart Transplantation; In Vitro Techniques; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Male; Malonyl Coenzyme A; Myocardial Contraction; Myocardium; Oleic Acid; Organ Size; Oxidation-Reduction; Perfusion; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex; Rats; Rats, Inbred WF

Histological and immunohistochemical studies were carried out on the pancreas of twelve cattle of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). They showed clinical signs such as persistent hyperglycemia, glycosuria and decreased glucose tolerance, and some cases accompanied with or without ketonuria. Histopathologically, eight cattle were diagnosed as chronic IDDM, while others were acute IDDM. The most characteristic lesions of the pancreas in chronic IDDM showed a decrease in the size and number of pancreatic islets, interlobular and interacinar fibrosis, mild lymphocytic insulitis, and vacuolation of a few islets. Almost all cells in the atrophied islets had a small amount of ungranulated cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the atrophied islet cells did not react to anti-insulin antibody, but occasionally reacted to anti-glucagon or somatostatin antibodies. A few solitary islets with mild lymphocytic infiltration, necrotic islets with occasional calcification, and atrophied islets with mild fibrosis were also observed. A few islets consisted of many islet cells with vacuolated cytoplasm including a small number of insulin-positive granules. Accumulation of glycogen granules was occasionally observed in these islets. Islet fibrosis was due to the proliferation of collagen fibers reactive to both anti-collagen type I and type III antibodies. In acute IDDM, the major islets consisted of the cells with vacuolated cytoplasm indicating the degranulation of islet cells. These islets contained many islet cells with shrunken cytoplasm and karyorrhectic nuclei. Lymphocytic infiltration was frequently observed in the islets which consisted of many islet cells having karyorrhectic nuclei and vacuolated and severely degranulated cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, islet cells with vacuolated cytoplasm had a small amount of insulin-positive granules, suggesting severe degranulation of beta-cells. An increase in acinar islet-cells and proliferation of ductal epithelial cells showing insulin-immunoreactivity were observed. Bovine IgG-immunoreactive islet cells were frequently seen in the vacuolated islets. In summary, pathological observations suggested that beta-cells were being destroyed by an inflammatory process which selectively affected the pancreatic islets. Lymphocytic insulitis and anti-bovine immunoreactive islet cells were thought to be the most significant changes in determining the etiology and pathogenesis of bovine IDDM, and suggested

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Calcinosis; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Female; Fibrosis; Glycogen; Immunohistochemistry; Islets of Langerhans; Male; Pancreas; Vacuoles

In the present study, the developmental expression of three cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms, 1A1, 2B1 and 3A2, and the ability to store glycogen was investigated in intrasplenic liver cell explants in comparison to adult and fetal liver. Fetal liver tissue suspensions were transplanted into the spleens of adult male syngenic Fisher inbred rats. Animals were sacrificed at 3 days, 1, 2, 4 weeks, 2, 4, 6 months and 1 year after transplantation. Spleens and livers of transplant recipients were compared to those of sham operated and control rats. Three days after transplantation little bulks of hepatocytes and only few bile ducts were seen in the red pulp of the transplant containing spleens. A massive hypertrophy and proliferation of bile ducts and also an augmentation in the number of hepatocytes were observed 4 weeks after transplantation. One month later, however, the bile ducts had become more and more atrophic, while instead the number of hepatocytes continuously increased. One year after surgery large masses of hepatocytes with apparent cord structure and only few but well preserved bile ducts were seen. Within the livers of adult rats, P450 1A1 was only slightly expressed by some hepatocytes around the central veins. P450 2B1 and 3A2 isoforms expression was much stronger, but also predominantly located in the hepatocytes of the central zone of the liver lobule. Hepatocytes of fetal livers displayed a moderate P450 1A1 expression. In some cells also a very mild staining for P450 2B1 and 3A2 was observed. Within the hepatocytes of the intrasplenic liver cell explants P450 1A1 was still expressed 3 days after transplantation, disappeared at 1 week after surgery, but reappeared at 4 weeks after transplantation. After 2, 4 and 6 months no staining for P450 1A1 was detectable any more. One year after transplantation again a slight P450 1A1 expression appeared. With P450 2B1 and 3A2 a mild to moderate expression was seen already at 3 days after transplantation. Four weeks after surgery nearly all of the hepatocytes were stained for P450 2B1 and 3A2, but there were marked differences between the individual cells in the extent of the expression of these two P450 subtypes, like it was also the case with normal adult liver. Within hepatocytes of the fetal livers strongly stained glycogen granules were seen, which, in comparison to adult livers, were rather coarse-grained. Three days after transplantation the glycogen granules in the transplanted hepatocytes were

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Bile Ducts; Cell Division; Cell Survival; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Female; Fetal Tissue Transplantation; Glycogen; Isoenzymes; Liver; Liver Transplantation; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Spleen; Transplantation, Isogeneic

A severe myopathy leading to death or euthanasia was identified in 4 Belgian and 4 Percheron draught horses age 2-21 years. Clinical signs ranged from overt weakness and muscle atrophy in 2 horses age 2 and 3 years, to recumbency with inability to rise in 6 horses age 4-21 years. In 5 horses there was mild to severe increases in muscle enzyme levels. Clinical diagnoses included equine motor neuron disease (2 horses), post anaesthetic myopathy (2 horses), exertional myopathy (2 horses), myopathy due to unknown (one horse), and equine protozoal myelitis (one horse). Characteristic histopathology of muscle from affected horses was the presence of excessive complex polysaccharide and/or glycogen, revealed by periodic acid-Schiff staining in all cases and by electron microscopy in one case. Evaluation of frozen section histochemistry performed on 2 cases indicated that affected fibres were Type 2 glycolytic fibres. Subsarcolemmal and intracytoplasmic vacuoles were most prominent in 3 horses age 2-4 years, and excessive glycogen, with little or no complex polysaccharide, was the primary compound stored in affected muscle in these young horses. Myopathic changes, including fibre size variation, fibre hypertrophy, internal nuclei, and interstitial fat infiltration, were most prominent in 5 horses age 6-21 years, and the accumulation of complex polysaccharide appeared to increase with age. Mild to moderate segmental myofibre necrosis was present in all cases.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Female; Glycogen; Glycogen Storage Disease; Histocytochemistry; Horse Diseases; Horses; Hypertrophy; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Transmission; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; Muscle, Skeletal; Muscular Diseases; Necrosis; Polysaccharides

The influence of dexamethasone on diaphragm function, its oxidative capacity, fiber cross-sectional areas, the content of glycogen and ultrastructural changes were determined in Wistar rats by receiving dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) muscle injection for two weeks. We noted dexamethasone treatment leads to significant atrophy of the mass of diaphragm, reduction of fiber cross-sectional areas (CSA) of type II a, II b fibers. Under high frequency (100 Hz) stimulation, the tention of the diaphragm muscle strips was decreased and diaphragm fatigue resistance (1/2 RT) was significantly improved. Histochemically, ATPase activity in type I and type II b fibers of the diaphragm was significantly reduced and a significant reduction of succinate dehydrogenase activity in the diaphragm was also observed, but increased glycogen was seen in the diaphragm. Ultrastructural changes including mitochondrial hyperplasia, swelling, myofibillae focus destructure were evident. It is concluded that steroid-induced myopathy may also involve the diaphragm.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Atrophy; Dexamethasone; Diaphragm; Glycogen; Male; Muscle Fatigue; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Succinate Dehydrogenase

To analyze the relationship between Lugol unstained areas and their histologic features, we applied the Lugol test to 24 specimens of resected esophagus. The staining patterns were graded into four types: grade I, hyperstaining; grade II, normal greenish brown staining; grade III, less intense staining; and grade IV, unstained. Most of the grade IV lesions were invasive carcinomas, carcinomas in situ, or severe dysplasia. The carcinomas in situ and the intraepithelial extension of the carcinomas, which were difficult to detect, were clearly shown as grade IV. On the other hand, moderate to mild dysplasia or atrophy showed grade III staining. Grade IV lesions showed well-demarcated sharp margins, whereas grade III lesions showed ill-demarcated dull margins. The grade III carcinomas, however, by the Lugol test, showed well-demarcated margins. Histologic evaluation disclosed that the staining intensity reflected well the thickness of the glycogen-containing cell layer in the lesion. The sharpness of the margin reflected the abrupt or gradual change from the glycogen-containing to non-containing cell layers. These findings suggest 1) the usefulness of the staining pattern of the Lugol test for the diagnosis of esophageal lesions such as squamous cell carcinoma and severe dysplasia, and 2) the usefulness of the Lugol test for precise delineation of the proximal resection line during surgery of esophageal carcinomas with unexpected wide extension.

Topics: Atrophy; Carcinoma in Situ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Esophageal Diseases; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophagitis; Esophagus; Glycogen; Humans; Iodides; Staining and Labeling

This study was designed to examine the effect of non-weight-bearing conditions and the systemic influences of simulated microgravity on rat hindlimb muscles. For this purpose, rats were suspended (SUS) in a head-down position (45 degrees) with the left hindlimb non-weight bearing (NWB) and the right hindlimb bearing 20% of presuspension body mass (WB). Weight bearing by the SUS-WB limb was accomplished by using a platform connected to a rod in sleeve, cable, and pulley apparatus to which weight could be added. Rats (250-325 g) were assigned to SUS or cage control (CC) conditions for 14 days. The angle between the foot and leg for SUS-WB and CC remained similar (20-30 degrees) throughout the experiment while the SUS-NWB hindlimbs extended to approximately 140 degrees by day 12. On day 14, the soleus, plantaris, and gastrocnemius muscles from the SUS-NWB limbs exhibited significantly lower (P < or = 0.05) masses than presuspension mass values (29, 11, and 21%, respectively). Weight bearing by the SUS-WB limbs prevented the loss of mass by these muscles. In separate groups of SUS and CC rats, 2-deoxyglucose uptake during hindlimb perfusion was significantly higher in both SUS-NWB and SUS-WB hindlimbs at 24,000 microU/ml of insulin compared with CC for all the muscles examined (21-80%). In addition, extracellular space (ml/g) was significantly greater in the soleus muscles from both the SUS-NWB and SUS-WB hindlimbs (64%) compared with CC muscles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Body Weight; Deoxyglucose; Electromyography; Extracellular Space; Glucose; Glycogen; Hindlimb; Insulin; Male; Muscles; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Regional Blood Flow; Weightlessness

A study was made of the character of disorders of glycogen metabolism and dynamics of the glycogen synthetic properties of sensorimotor cortical neurons at different stages of dystrophic processes under chronic irritation of the anterior cervical ganglion. The authors demonstrate the local glycogen synthesis in synapse ultrastructures, which is of paramount importance for local homeostasis, ensuring high plasticity and dynamism of cortical synapses in information transmission. Decimetric radiotherapy revealed that the sclerosed sympathetic ganglion exerts a permanent tonic effect on the regulation of intracerebral vessels. It may be assumed that control of sympathetic fibers from the cervical ganglion is aimed to a definite measure at specialized regulation of energy brain supply.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Body Temperature; Cats; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Chronic Disease; Disease Models, Animal; Ganglia, Sympathetic; Glycogen; Microscopy, Electron; Sclerosis; Somatosensory Cortex; Time Factors

The vastus medialis (VM) from rats after 14 days of microgravity on COSMOS 2044 (F) was compared with VM from tail-suspended hindlimb-unloaded rats (T) and ground controls, including vivarium (V), synchronous (S), and basal (B) animals. The VM is composed chiefly of fast-twitch fibers; however, it contains a deep portion closer to the bone with mixed slow- and fast-twitch fibers. In the mixed-fiber portion, type I and II fiber areas were significantly reduced in F animals. In the homogeneous portion with chiefly fast-twitch fibers, F rats also showed reductions in cross-sectional areas compared with T, V, and B but not S rats. Fiber densities (fibers/mm2) were greatest in VM from F rats. Capillary density changes paralleled fiber density changes. F animals have significantly greater density of capillaries in the mixed-fiber portion. Concentrations of protein, RNA, and DNA were highest in V controls, whereas F rats had the lowest level of total RNA. Lactate dehydrogenase activity, one measure of anaerobic capacity, was greater in F than in S rats. Citrate synthase activity, a measure of oxidative capacity, showed no significant differences between groups. Although triglyceride stores of VM were greater in F than in T rats, there were no significant differences from any of the control groups. It was concluded that VM wet weights may be a less sensitive measure of atrophy than the fiber area measurements. Fiber area decreases and fiber density increases in F animals were quantitatively comparable to those in soleus and extensor digitorum longus after 7 days of weightless flight in Spacelab 3. Our results suggest that VM shows measurable responses to weightlessness.

Topics: Anaerobiosis; Animals; Atrophy; Capillaries; DNA; Glycogen; Hindlimb; Histocytochemistry; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Muscle Proteins; Muscles; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; RNA; Triglycerides; Weightlessness

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship myofibrils, mitochondoria and other cytoplasmic organella in the developed lingual muscle (vertical, transverse, and longitudinal) by using various microscopic levels: light, scanning electron, and transmission electron. The tongue muscles were examined in seventeen autopsy specimens: eight, 12-32 weeks gestation and ten adults (five male, five female; 54-93 years). The muscle fiber rapidly developed. A large number of mitochondoria and glycogen granules increased and the size of myofibrils in the middle stage also increased, ranging from 24 to 28 weeks gestations. The developed myofibrils were differentiated, the VL and TL at first are developed before the LL developed. These results suggest that the lingual intrinsic muscle have differences in properties during development.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Atrophy; Cytoplasmic Granules; Female; Fetus; Glycogen; Humans; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Middle Aged; Mitochondria; Muscles; Organelles; Tongue

Topics: Adolescent; Atrophy; Basement Membrane; Child; Child, Preschool; Connective Tissue; Edema; Epidermis; Epithelium; Female; Glycogen; Hair; Hair Diseases; Humans; Male

The effects of insulin on carbohydrate metabolism in atrophied rat soleus muscle are increased after unweighting by tail-cast suspension. This work has been extended by testing the effect of unweighting on the response of carbohydrate metabolism to isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist. Isoproterenol promoted glycogen degradation more in the unweighted than in the weight-bearing soleus but showed no differences in the extensor digitorum longus, which is unresponsive to hindlimb unweighting. In soleus muscles depleted of glycogen, to avoid varied inhibitory effects of glycogen on glycogen synthesis, isoproterenol inhibited this process more in the unweighted muscle. Isoproterenol did not have a greater inhibitory effect on net uptake of 2-deoxy-D[1,2-3H]glucose by the unweighted muscle. Measurements of intracellular 2-deoxy-[3H]glucose 6-phosphate and 3-O-methyl-D-[1-3H]glucose, which cannot be phosphorylated, showed that isoproterenol inhibited glucose phosphorylation but not transport. This effect could be explained by an increase of glucose 6-phosphate, an inhibitor of hexokinase. At 100 microU insulin/ml but not at a lower amount (10 microU/ml), isoproterenol inhibited hexose phosphorylation more in the control than in the unweighted muscle. This result may be explained by greater insulin antagonism in the unweighted muscle owing to increased insulin sensitivity. However, insulin antagonism of isoproterenol stimulation of glycogenolysis or inhibition of glycogenesis was not altered by unweighting. Therefore, for some aspects of carbohydrate metabolism, the unweighted muscle has an increased response to beta-adrenergic activation, just as this muscle shows increased responses to insulin.

Topics: 3-O-Methylglucose; Animals; Atrophy; Biological Transport, Active; Deoxyglucose; Female; Glucose-6-Phosphate; Glucosephosphates; Glycogen; Insulin; Isoproterenol; Lactates; Methylglucosides; Muscles; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Weight Gain; Weightlessness

The symptoms of a myopathy permanently affecting limb girdle muscles are reported in a 31-year-old woman who has been presenting an exertional muscle pain syndrome with myoglobinuria for 20 years. Investigations revealed a slightly decreased utilization of glycogen in muscle, while its storage affected only rare type 2 fibers. Active phosphorylase was undetectable and phosphorylase b kinase activity was clearly decreased in muscle cells, but normal in erythocytes, lymphocytes and cultured fibroblasts.

Topics: Adult; Atrophy; Female; Glycogen; Glycogen Storage Disease; Glycolysis; Humans; Microscopy, Electron; Muscles; Muscular Diseases; Pain; Phosphorylase b; Phosphorylase Kinase; Physical Exertion; Syndrome

A severe, progressive myopathy developed in an 11-year-old, phosphofructokinase (PFK)-deficient, male, English Springer Spaniel dog. Results from a routine neurological examination were normal. Examination of histologic sections of skeletal muscle revealed large accumulations of material in some myofibers. These deposits were pale, basophilic, somewhat flocculent, and slightly granular with hematoxylin and eosin stain. Most fascicles examined in sections of limb and trunk muscles were affected to some degree, with up to 10% of muscle fibers being involved. Deposits stained strongly with periodic acid-Schiff and were resistant to digestion by alpha amylase but were removed by incubation with gamma amylase. Deposits were faintly positive with Gomori's methenamine silver technique and alcian blue (pH 2.5) and were brown-gray with Lugol's iodine solution but were negative with other stains. Based on staining characteristics, the deposits seemed to consist primarily of an amylopectin-like polysaccharide(s). Alcian blue staining (pH 2.5) was removed by treatment with neuraminidase but not with hyaluronidase, indicating that some sialic acid residues were also present. Electron microscopically, the deposits were composed of short granular filaments, small granules and amorphous material. They were not membrane bound. The morphologic appearance and staining characteristics of the deposits were remarkably similar to deposits previously described in human PFK-deficient myopathy. As expected, total PFK activities were markedly reduced when assayed in skeletal muscles of this dog. In contrast with other PFK-deficient dogs, muscle glycogen in this animal was not increased above that of normal dogs.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Glycogen; Glycogen Storage Disease; Glycogen Storage Disease Type VII; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Muscles; Phosphofructokinase-1; Polysaccharides; Splenomegaly

Morphologic, histochemical and fluorescent microscopic studies of leiomyomas with necrosis and degenerative changes have been done in 100 patients. Morphologic and functional features of the endometrium and myometrium were examined at tumor-adjacent and remote sites. The study showed no relation between the ischemic changes of uterine leiomyomas and morphological/functional status of the myometrium and endometrium. In the presence of leiomyoma, the endometrium undergoes primarily histophysiological and aging-related changes. The study findings suggest that surgery for necrotic leiomyoma should be organ-sparing.

Topics: Adult; Atrophy; Endometrium; Female; Glycogen; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Leiomyoma; Middle Aged; Myometrium; Necrosis; Uterine Neoplasms

Two novel 16-substituted steroidal carboxylate esters derived from prednisolone, methyl 11 beta,17 alpha,21- trihydroxy-3,20-dioxo-pregna-1,4-diene-16 alpha-carboxylate (P16CM) and methyl 11 beta,21-dihydroxy-3,20-dioxo-pregna-1,4-diene-16 alpha- carboxylate (DeoxyP16CM) were evaluated for in vivo antiinflammatory and glucocorticoid activities. Results indicate that incorporation of a methoxycarbonyl group at the 16 position of prednisolone, as in P16CM, resulted in 5.5 times more local activity in the cotton pellet granuloma assay and 14 times more topical activity in the croton oil induced ear edema bioassay as compared with the parent compound prednisolone (P). The 17 alpha-dehydroxy analogue of P16CM (DeoxyP16CM) retained one-half the local activity of P in the cotton pellet granuloma bioassay and topical activity equal to P in the croton oil induced ear edema bioassay. Favorable dissociation of local from systemic effects is seen for these steroidal 16-carboxylate esters since their systemic antiinflammatory activity was significantly less than that of P, and their suppression of plasma corticosterone and ACTH levels was minimal. While P16CM does exhibit some thymolytic activity, DeoxyP16CM is essentially devoid of thymus atrophogenic effects at equiactive doses. Thus, these compounds may represent safer topical therapeutic agents.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Atrophy; Corticosterone; Glucocorticoids; Glycogen; Granuloma; Male; Pleurisy; Prednisolone; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Tyrosine Transaminase

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Atrophy; Colon; Colonic Diseases, Functional; Female; Glycogen; Glycosaminoglycans; Humans; Intestinal Mucosa; Male; Middle Aged; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Sulfhydryl Compounds

Topics: Atrophy; Biopsy; Glycogen; Histological Techniques; Muscles; Muscular Diseases; Muscular Dystrophies

Data of a clinico-morphological examination of 4 patients with the ophthalmoplegic form of myopathy are presented. An electronmicroscopic examination has made it possible to disclose the primary morphological defect in the mitochondria of the patients' muscles. The mitochondrial pathology manifested itself in an increase of the number of these organelles, changes of their shape and size, structural abnormalities and presence of inclusions. The pathology of the mitochondria in muscular fibres with normal structure of the latter's contractile apparatus, gradual destruction of the mitochondria, and deepening of the destructive changes in the mitochondria in parallel to the lysis of the myofibrillary apparatus give one grounds to speak about the primary character of the mitochondrial pathology in those patients, and to regard this disease as a variant of mitochondrial myopathies.

Topics: Adult; Atrophy; Female; Glycogen; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Mitochondria, Muscle; Muscles; Myofibrils; Ophthalmoplegia; Syndrome

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Cyproterone; Estradiol; Female; Fertility; Glycogen; Mice; Ovary; Proteins; RNA; Sialic Acids; Uterus

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Glucose-6-Phosphatase; Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase; Glycogen; Hexokinase; Male; Phosphorylases; Radiation Injuries, Experimental; Rats; Testis

In the parenchymal cells of the liver of adult male rats re-fed on the evening of the fifth day after a period of absolute starvation, a nearly complete absence of autophagic vacuoles (AV) has been found by the morphometric determination of the fractional cytoplasmic volume of AV. The mean value for that parameter increased only gradually during periods of re-feeding. The value was found to be in the range of the control values only on, or after, the fifth day of re-feeding. As in previous experiments, in the control animals the number of AV was again found to be dependent on a circadian rhythm with maxima during the light, and minima during the dark, periods. This rhythm reappeared in the period of re-feeding without a shift in phase. In the controls as well as in the re-fed animals the "segregated fraction" was highest for microbodies, intermediate for mitochondria and glycogen, but rather low for the remaining components of the cytoplasm. It is suggested that the long term inhibition of cellular autophagy, found in the present study, plays an important role in the restorative cellular growth of the liver during the recovery from the atrophy induced by starvation.

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Circadian Rhythm; Glycogen; Liver; Male; Microbodies; Mitochondria, Liver; Rats; Starvation; Time Factors

The literature on the epithelial changes in oral submucous fibrosis is reviewed. The epithelial changes seen in thirty-eight biopsy specimens from thirty-eight patients with oral submucous fibrosis are presented in detail. It was seen that in submucous fibrosis there is a tendency toward epithelial atrophy associated with hyperothokeratosis and pyknotic changes in the nuclei of the basal-cell layer. Hyperplasia of the epithelium usually associated with hyperparakeratosis was also noticed. A striking feature in this study was the absence of glycogen from most of the Grade III (severe) cases. Vacuolization of prickle-cell layer, increased mitotic activity, and epithelial atypia were also noticed in a few cases. The significance of submucous fibrosis as a possible precancerous lesion is emphasized, with reference to the recent reports in the literature.

Topics: Atrophy; Epithelium; Glycogen; Mitosis; Mouth Diseases; Mouth Mucosa

Facial nerve neurectomy were performed in the baboon (Papio papio). Histochemical investigations showed usual criteria of such lesions. Therefore a loose of glycogene within the Type I muscular fibers was observed in animals with a former facial spasm.

Topics: Adenosine Triphosphatases; Animals; Atrophy; Facial Muscles; Facial Nerve; Glycogen; Haplorhini; Necrosis; Nerve Degeneration; Papio; Photic Stimulation; Spasm

Topics: Animals; Animals, Newborn; Atrophy; Castration; Collagen; Endometrium; Estradiol; Female; Glycogen; Myometrium; Organ Size; Rats; Testosterone; Uterus

Topics: Aged; Atrophy; Biopsy; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Ectropion; Entropion; Eyelid Neoplasms; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Mitochondria, Muscle; Oculomotor Muscles; Pigments, Biological

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Female; Glycogen; Lactation; Liver; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Microscopy, Electron; Pancreas; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Protein Deficiency; Protein-Energy Malnutrition

Topics: Adult; Amylases; Atrophy; Biopsy; Buffers; Cytoplasmic Granules; Diabetes Mellitus; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium; Female; Glycogen; Humans; Iris; Male; Methods; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Pigments, Biological; Ribonucleases; Time Factors

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Axons; Cytoplasm; Cytoplasmic Granules; Demyelinating Diseases; Female; Glycogen; Male; Medulla Oblongata; Membranes; Microscopy, Electron; Mitochondria; Mitochondrial Swelling; Rats; Vitamin E Deficiency

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenalectomy; Animals; Atrophy; Blood Glucose; Diabetes Mellitus; Glycogen; Hyperglycemia; Hypoglycemia; Hypophysectomy; Insulin; Insulin Secretion; Islets of Langerhans; Liver Glycogen; Muscles; Myocardium; Necrosis; Rats; Staining and Labeling; Thyroidectomy; Thyroxine

Topics: Acid Phosphatase; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Aminopeptidases; Atrophy; Electron Transport Complex IV; Female; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; Glycogen; Histocytochemistry; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa; Oxidoreductases; Succinate Dehydrogenase; Tongue Diseases

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Carotid Arteries; Dogs; Glycogen; Jugular Veins; Lipid Metabolism; Liver; Liver Circulation; Liver Regeneration; Liver Transplantation; Methenamine; Regional Blood Flow; Transplantation, Autologous

Topics: Animals; Atrophy; Castration; Estrogens; Female; Glycogen; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Menstruation; Microscopy, Electron; Pinocytosis; Pituitary Hormone-Releasing Hormones; Progestins; Reticulum; Sulfur Isotopes; Uterus

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aging; Atrophy; Child; Collagen; Glycogen; Humans; Keratins; Keratosis; Middle Aged; Mouth Mucosa; Polysaccharides

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Atrophy; Birds; Cell Biology; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Cytodiagnosis; Epididymis; Glycogen; Gonadotropins; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Lipids; Male; Pharmacology; Research; Seminal Vesicles; Sparrows; Testis; Vas Deferens

Topics: Atrophy; Castration; Denervation; Glycogen; Glycogenolysis; Muscles