title: The influence of dehydroepiandrosterone on histology of selected organs in rabbits on an atherogenic diet.
abstract: The influence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in fodder on the histology of selected organs in rabbits with induced hypercholesterolemia and in healthy rabbits was studied. Rabbits were randomly assigned into four groups: (1) control; (2) atherogenic diet; (3) atherogenic diet with addition of DHEA; (4) normal diet with addition of DHEA. After 12 weeks, the rabbits were bled. Tissue samples were collected, fixed in a 0.4% solution of buffered formalin, dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. Fragments of 5-7 microns were stained with hematoxylin and eosin as well as according to the van Gieson method. Histological analysis showed features of steatosis and intense degenerative changes in analyzed organs of animals from group 2, i.e. liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, lungs and bone. The degenerative changes in the group which in addition to a fat-rich diet received DHEA, were similar to group 2, but much less intense. Histological pictures of organs of the rabbits which received DHEA and normal diet did not differ significantly from the control group. In animals with experimental hyperlipidemia, DHEA acts protectively, decreasing degenerative changes in internal organs caused by an atherogenic diet. DHEA does not change the histological picture of organs in healthy animals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Academy, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bednarek-Tupikowska
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuryszko
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kosowska
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bohdanowicz-Pawlak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milewicz
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood; D004036:Diet, Atherogenic; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; D002784:Cholesterol