Background: Early-life stress and dietary habits are key determinants of metabolic health. This study investigates the combined effects of maternal separation (MS) and a post-weaning high-fat diet (HFD) on liver morphology in male C57BL/6 mice. Methods: Male mice were subjected to MS during early postnatal life or kept unmanipulated (UM). After weaning, animals were assigned to either a control diet (CD) or an HFD, forming four groups: UM-CD, UM-HFD, MS-CD, and MS-HFD. Liver histology, collagen deposition, and both morphometric and stereological parameters were assessed following 16 weeks of dietary intervention. Results: MS and HFD independently altered liver structure, while the combination of both factors intensified these changes. The MS-HFD group exhibited pronounced steatosis, mixed inflammatory infiltrates, and hepatocellular ballooning, with a significantly higher NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). No significant differences were observed in liver fibrosis. Morphometric analysis revealed increased body mass in HFD-fed groups and elevated liver mass in MS-HFD. Liver volume was higher in MS-HFD, though not significantly. Liver stereology revealed reduced numerical density of hepatocytes (Nv_hep) and increased surface density (Sv_hep) in MS groups, with the most pronounced effects in MS-HFD. Conclusions: Maternal separation amplifies the hepatic alterations induced by HFD, promoting early inflammatory and steatotic changes. These findings highlight the significance of early-life stress as a factor increasing susceptibility to diet-induced liver damage.

Early postnatal stress is a critical factor in metabolic programming. Maternal separation (MS) in rodents, a widely validated model, has been linked to pancreatic alterations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of MS on pancreatic morphology and function in rodents. This review followed the PRISMA and SYRCLE guidelines, with a protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251004633). Experimental studies in rodents comparing MS with standard rearing, which reported pancreatic morphofunctional and metabolic parameters, were included. A comprehensive search was performed in the Web of Science, Embase, Medline, Scopus, BIREME-BVS, and SciELO databases until March 2025, without language restrictions. Extracted data included glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity indices (QUICKI, HOMA), and glucose tolerance tests (GTTs). Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models, and subgroup analyses were applied to explore sources of heterogeneity. Of 491 references, 25 studies were included in the meta-analysis, which showed that MS was associated with significantly higher glucose levels (SMD −0.41; 95% CI: −0.71 to −0.11) and worse GTT response (SMD −1.02; 95% CI: −1.23 to −0.82). Furthermore, the QUICKI index was significantly decreased (SMD 0.75; 95% CI: 0.14 to 1.35), indicating insulin resistance. MS in rodents induces pancreatic alterations associated with insulin resistance and glucose intolerance, suggesting that early stress could program long-term metabolic vulnerability.

Background/Objectives: The abductor pollicis longus (APL) muscle exhibits a high degree of anatomical variation, particularly in the number and configuration of its tendons. Understanding these variants is crucial in surgical contexts, especially for tendon transfer and reconstruction procedures. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and morphometric characteristics of the accessory abductor pollicis longus (AAPL) muscle in a Bolivian cadaveric population. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on 16 forearms from eight adult cadavers (six males and two females) preserved in 10% formalin. Cadaveric dissection was conducted following the AQUA guidelines, with measurements obtained for the AAPL proximal tendon length (PTL), distal tendon length (DTL), muscle length (ML), and transverse muscle length (TML) using a digital caliper. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS v26. Results: The AAPL muscle was present in 50% of forearms. Most were unilateral, with one bilateral case. The muscle exhibited a fusiform shape, with fibers aligned longitudinally. Morphometric analysis revealed a mean PTL of 1.20 ± 0.08 cm, DTL of 3.91 ± 0.52 cm, ML of 5.30 ± 0.45 cm, and TML of 0.55 ± 0.056 cm. One case (6.25%) exhibited a multicaudal APL with an additional tendon measuring 6.23 cm. No significant correlations were found between muscle and tendon measurements. Conclusions: AAPL muscles are relatively common and demonstrate notable morphometric variation. While the proximal tendon may be inadequate for grafting due to its short length, the distal tendon offers a viable alternative for reconstructive procedures. Recognition of such variants is clinically relevant, as they may contribute to pathologies like De Quervain’s tenosynovitis or serve as graft sources in surgical interventions.

Adverse childhood experiences are associated with long-term metabolic disturbances, yet their effects on the exocrine pancreas remain poorly understood. Using maternal separation (MS) as a model of early-life stress, this study examined whether MS modifies the exocrine pancreatic response to a post-weaning high-fat diet (HFD) in male C57BL/6 mice. Animals were exposed to MS or standard rearing conditions and fed a control diet or HFD for 16 weeks. Body and pancreatic mass, plasma amylase and lipase activities, exocrine pancreatic histopathology, and apoptosis were assessed. HFD increased body mass and reduced the pancreas-to-body mass ratio independently of MS, without altering absolute pancreatic mass. Lipase activity increased significantly in response to both MS and HFD, whereas amylase showed a non-significant upward trend. Histopathological analysis revealed condition-dependent exocrine pancreatic remodeling, including acinar hypertrophy, autophagic vacuolization, focal necrosis, vascular alterations, interstitial edema, and ductal changes. These alterations were mild in HFD-only mice but more pronounced in MS-exposed animals, particularly when combined with HFD. Apoptosis was strongly influenced by early-life stress and modulated by diet, with significant effects of MS and the MS × diet interaction. Overall, early-life stress induces persistent structural and functional alterations in the exocrine pancreas, increasing susceptibility to nutritional challenges in adulthood.