Investigation of the mechanism and the effect of cryoimmunology in the Copenhagen rat

This study examined the potential for "cryoimmunology" to increase the destruction of the Dunning AT-1 prostate tumor after cryosurgery. Two possible mechanisms explaining the cryoimmunologic response were studied. The first was that an antitumor antibody is produced after cryosurgery. The second was that freezing induces an immunostimulatory signal that creates a T-cell response to the tumor. Six groups of animals (three experimental groups and three control groups) were treated once per week for 4 weeks with different therapies designed to investigate these mechanisms. Three types of immune response were measured: (1) the anti-AT-1 tumor immune titer (Ab response) by serum ELISA, (2) the effect on secondary tumor growth after challenge with live AT-1 cells (size and weight of the secondary tumor over time), and (3) the nature of the immunologic infiltrate into the secondary tumors by immunoperoxidase stain. ELISA showed that immune titers were present in the experimental groups after therapy, but the presence of an immune titer did not have a significant effect on tumor propagation. Histology showed the immunologic infiltrate was similar in all groups. These results showed that an immune response to AT-1 tumor was measurable by serum antibody, but it did not significantly limit secondary tumor growth or affect tumor histology. This suggests that the growth of AT-1 tumors is not inhibited by a cryoimmunological response. Thus, the effect of in vivo cryosurgery in the AT-1 tumor system would likely be limited to cellular and vascular changes.     

Plasma and CSF levels of immunoreactive beta-endorphin in algic peaks of patients with herniated intervertebral discs

Plasma and CSF levels of beta-Endorphin (beta-End) were measured by radioimmunoassay in three groups of human subjects. The first group consisted of healthy adults, and only plasma beta-End was determined. The second group consisted of patients showing non-painful neurological diseases. The third group consisted of patients suffering from acute pain due to herniated intervertebral discs. In the last two groups, beta-End levels were measured in plasma and CSF. The results showed that plasma levels of beta-End were similar in the first two groups of patients. In contrast, patients with acute pain showed significantly increased levels of beta-End in plasma. CSF levels of beta-End did not show significant differences among the groups. The results suggest that the increase in plasma levels of beta-End was a consequence of the stress produced by acute pain.     

下颌第三磨牙拔除中预防下唇麻木和舌麻木的方法探讨

目的:探讨下颌第三磨牙拔除导致下唇和舌麻木的有关因素。方法:按照三种分类标准进行分组。第一种分组:以不同年龄段分成两组。第二种分组:以下颌第三磨牙根尖与下颌神经管的关系分成三组。第三种分组:以不同拔牙方法分为三组。结果:1.下颌第三磨牙拔除后引起下唇麻木和舌麻木与年龄无明显关系。2.460例下颌第三磨牙拔除术后出现下唇麻木31例(占6.74%),其中第二组和第三组占26例(占5.65%),第一组和第二组分别与第三组相比具有统计学意义(P0.05);出现舌神经损伤17例(占3.70%),其中第二组和第三组占14例(占3.04%),第一组和第二组分别与第三组相比具有统计学意义(P0.05)。3.口腔全景片显示的66例下颌第三磨牙根尖与下颌神经管重叠中,CBCT显示根尖多位于下颌神经管舌侧,而跨于下颌神经管最少见。4.拔牙方法越复杂,引起下唇和舌麻木的几率就越大。结论:本组病例的方法评估对拟定合适的治疗方案和安全指导拔牙以降低下唇和舌麻木具有重要的临床意义。     

Effect of cryosurgery of the prostate in serum gonadotropin levels in prostatic cancer

Pituitary gland response to releasing hormone using the LH-RH loading test before and 4 weeks after cryosurgery of the prostate was investigated in eight patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma.In pre- and postoperative comparisons of all patients, there were no significant differences detected before and after surgery. But pituitary response to the releasing hormone was compared before and after the surgery in each of the patients; in one, depression and facilitation of FSH and LH secretion, respectively, were observed and there was a variation in the response of gonadotropin in each patient.Although the number of observable patients is still too low to draw any definite conclusions from the test results, one possible interpretation is that cryosurgery of the prostate may influence hormonal secretion from the pituitary gland.     

Effect of Olea europaea leaves extract on streptozotocin induced diabetes in male albino rats

The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of olive (Olea europaea) leaves extract on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic male rats. The experimental rats were divided into six groups. Rats of the first group were served as normal controls. Rats of the second group were diabetic control. The third and fourth groups were diabetic rats, treated with olive leaves extract at low and high doses respectively. The fifth and sixth groups were non diabetic rats, subjected to olive leaves extract at the same doses given to the third and fourth groups respectively. The minimum of body weigh gain was noted in diabetic rats of the second group. the levels of serum glucose, insulin, total protein, albumin, triglycerides, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly increased, while the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), superoxide dismutase, (SOD) glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) were statistically decreased in diabetic rats of the second group. The levels of liver insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) and insulin receptor A (IRA) were significantly declined in diabetic rats of the second group. The diabetic pancreatic sections from diabetic rats of the second group showed several histopathological changes. Administration of low and high doses of olive leaves extract improved the observed physiological, molecular and histopathological alterations. Collectively, the obtained results confirmed that the protective effects of olive leaves extract are attributed to the antioxidant activities of olive leaves extract and its active constituents.     

Catecholamines and vitiligo.

The levels of some catecholamine metabolites, namely homovanillic acid (HVA), vanilmandelic acid (VMA), 3-methoxytyramine (MT), normetanephrine (NMN), metanephrine (MN), 3,4-dihydroxy mandelic acid (DOMAC), and 3,4-dihydroxy phenylacetic acid (DOPAC), have been evaluated in the 24 hr urines of 150 patients affected with different types of vitiligo and in 50 healthy age-matched individuals. The patients were divided into three groups according to the different phases of the disease. The first group included subjects affected either with the early active phase or with progressive increase in both number and/or the size of previous lesions. The second group included patients in whom no new lesions had appeared for between 4-8 months. In the third group the white areas had been stable for 1-5 years. The first and second groups showed values of HVA and VMA from 4 to 10 times and from 1/2 to 3 times higher respectively than those of controls, while no significant differences were found between the third group and controls. Our results clearly show that a significant increase of urinary levels of HVA and VMA, deriving respectively from dopamine and from norepinephrine and epinephrine characterizes the onset and the progressive active phases of vitiligo, irrespective of the type of distribution. The increased release of catecholamines from the autonomic nerve endings in the microenvironment of melanocytes in the affected skin areas might be involved in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo through two main mechanisms: (1) a direct cytotoxic action of catecholamines and/or their o-diphenol catabolites; (2) an indirect action.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immunoglobulin E and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with different stages of coronary artery diseases

The aims of this study were to identify levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in patients with different stages of coronary artery diseases. IgE, MMP-9, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and triglyceride (TG) were measured by fluorescence enzyme immunoassay, gelatin zymography, and autoanalyzer in normal subjects (n = 40), patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP, n = 40), patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP, n = 40), patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 40), or post-CABG-surgery of those acute myocardial infarction (P-CABG, n = 40). Compared with normal subjects, increased IgE but unchanged MMP-9, CPK, LDH were found in SAP group and UAP group, whereas IgE, MMP-9, CPK and LDH levels were all significantly increased in AMI group. IgE, MMP-9, CPK and LDH levels in P-CABG group were significantly reduced, compared with AMI group, and were similar to those in normal subjects. Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and TG were not significantly changed in all groups. We suggest that serum total IgE can be an early marker of coronary artery disease and MMP-9 is a marker of acute myocardial infarction.     

Influence of vitamin E on the levels of fatty acids and MDA in some tissues of diabetic rats

This study was performed to determine whether vitamin E supplementation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with insulin could affect the levels of fatty acid composition and malondialdehyde (MDA) of brain, liver and muscle tissues. Thirty Wistar albino rats were used during the experiments. They were randomly divided into three groups, each consisting of six individuals. The first group was diabetic, the second was control, and the third was diabetic but fed vitamin E. The level of stearic acid in brain tissues decreased (p<0.05) in the second and the third groups as compared to the first group. The percentage of arachidonic and polyunsaturated fatty acids slightly decreased (p<0.05) in the diabetic group in comparison to the second and third groups. The proportion of docosahexaenoic acid significantly increased (p<0.01) in the second and third groups in contrast to the first group. The level of docosatrienoic was slightly higher (p<0.05) in the third group than in other groups. In the liver tissues, the proportion of stearic, oleic and total monounsaturated fatty acids was slightly higher (p<0.05) in the first group than in the other groups. The level of arachidonic, docosahexaenoic, unsaturated and total polyunsaturated fatty acid slightly increased (p<0.05) in the second and third groups as compared to the first group. The level of myristic and stearic acids in muscle tissue slightly increased (p<0.05) in the first group as compared to the second and third groups. The proportion of arachidonic, docosahexaenoic and unsaturated fatty acids slightly increased (p<0.05) in the second and third groups relative to the first group. The amount of MDA was slightly higher in the diabetic group than in the other groups in all tissues. The results indicate that vitamin E supplementation, in experimental diabetes could play a role in controlling the oxidative status and altered fatty acid metabolism in tissues, thereby maintaining favourable fatty acid distribution in the tissues affected by diabetic complications.     

Measurement of serum prolactin and the effect of ketamine anesthesia on serum prolactin levels in cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis)

The effect of an anesthetic, ketamine, on the serum prolactin level was examined in wild-originating female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) imported from South East Asia. Serum prolactin levels were measured by the homologous radioimmunoassay system which was developed for human prolactin. The validity was confirmed by using an extract of pituitary gland from a female cynomolgus monkey as well as serum and amniotic fluid from a pregnant monkey. Additionally, serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were determined by the radioreceptor assay system developed in our laboratory using Leydig cells collected from rat's testes as a receptor fraction. The experiment was repeated three times at one-month interval, using twenty animals that were divided into three groups consisting of 5, 7 and 8 monkeys each. In the first experiment, the first group was injected with physiological saline and the second and third groups were intramuscularly given ketamine at a dose level of 5 mg/kg B.W. and 15 mg/kg B.W., respectively. In the second experiment, the first and second groups were given ketamine at a dose of 5 mg/kg B.W. and of 15 mg/kg B.W., respectively, and the third group was served as control injected with saline. In the third experiment, the first and third groups were administered with 15 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg of ketamine and the second group was injected with saline. In short, all of the twenty monkeys received the three different treatments for two months. The serum prolactin level showed a marked increase after the administration of ketamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Changes in the expression of serum markers CA242, CA199, CA125, CEA, TNF-α and TSGF after cryosurgery in pancreatic cancer patients

The presence of serum tumor markers, carbohydrate antigen 242 (CA242), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tumor-supplied group of factors (TSGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), is closely associated with invasion and metastasis of many malignancies. The expression of these markers were measured in serum taken from 37 pancreatic cancer patients prior to treatment. Levels of CA242, CA199, CA125, CEA and TNF-α expression correlated with tumor size, clinical stage, tumor differentiation, lymph node and liver metastasis (P < 0.05). One month after cryosurgery, serum levels of these markers were significantly reduced compared with levels prior to cryosurgery (P < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference was found between serum levels before and after chemotherapy (P > 0.05). Thus, cryosurgery is more effective than chemotherapy for decreasing CA242, CA199, CA125, CEA, TSGF and TNF-α serum levels in these patients.     

Frequency of specific anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgM, IgA and IgE in colombian patients with acute and chronic ocular toxoplasmosis

We studied the frequency of specific anti-Toxoplasma IgM, IgA and IgE antibodies in serum of 28 immunocompetent Colombian patients, selected by ophthalmologists and with lesions that were compatible with ocular toxoplasmosis. Patients were classified in three groups: (i) group 1 consisted of ten patients with a first episode; (ii) group 2, with seven patients with a recurrence and (iii) group 3, consisted of eleven patients with chronic chorioretinal lesion without uveitis. We found that 10/28 (35%) of Colombian patients with ocular toxoplasmosis possessed at least one serological marker for Toxoplasma infection different from IgG. In group 1 (first episode), we found simultaneous presence of specific IgM plus IgA plus IgE in 1/10 (10%). In group 2 (recurrences) in 1/7 (14%) we found IgM and IgA test positives and in 1/7 (14%) we found IgM and IgE tests positives. In group 3 (toxoplasmic chorioretinal scar) the IgA serological test was positive in 2/11 (18%). These results show that serum IgM or IgA or IgE can be present during recurrences.     

磁共振淋巴造影技术方法研究

目的：评估欧乃影介导的磁共振间质淋巴造影在诊断前列腺癌盆腔淋巴转移的可行性和安全性。方法：所有30例病理确诊前列腺癌患者,采用1.5T菲利浦超导型磁共振成像仪检查。先完成盆腔前列腺平扫,接着皮下注射造影剂欧乃影行三维增强磁共振淋巴造影术（3D CE-MRL）,最后欧乃影静脉注射盆腔前列腺增强扫描。结果：皮下注射后,欧乃影迅速吸收进入淋巴系统,引流区域各组淋巴结、淋巴管显示清晰。结论：皮下注射＂欧乃影＂行磁共振间质淋巴造影术诊断前列腺癌患者盆腔淋巴转移是可行和安全的。     

Cryoprotective therapy for huge hepatocellular carcinoma: A study of 14 patients with a single lesion

Percutaneous cryoablation is a potential cure for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study reviewed retrospectively clinical data from 14 patients who underwent cryoablation of huge HCC (long diameter >7 cm). The side effects of cryosurgeries and liver function reverse were recorded and compared everyday. All the patients survived cryosurgery and none died before leaving hospital 2 weeks later. Despite liver-protective treatment before cryosurgery, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were increased significantly, but returned to preoperative levels 2 weeks post-cryosurgery. Before cryosurgery, mean total bilirubin (T.BIL) and direct bilirubin (D.BIL) levels were normal; 8–10 days after cryosurgery, they increased more than two-fold, but returned to the preoperative level 2 weeks post-cryosurgery. Serum transaminase and bilirubin levels were compared between hepatitis B positive and negative patients. The hepatitis B negative group’s AST level increased significantly 1 day post-cryosurgery (mean, 186 U/L) and decreased to the preoperative level at day 14. In the hepatitis B positive group, means transaminase and bilirubin reached peak values at different days post-cryosurgery. Overall, ALT and AST are valuable indicators of liver function impairment following cryosurgery. In patients with hepatitis B virus, close attention to the serum bilirubin level should be paid 8–10 days after cryosurgery. Liver-protective treatment may alleviate liver function impairment caused by cryosurgery of huge HCC.     

VCTDSA联合CT 灌乌司他丁联合硝苯地平控释片对ESWL 术后肾功能的保护作用

目的：观察乌司他丁(商品名天普洛安)和硝苯地平控释片(商品名拜新同)对体外冲击波碎石术(ESWL)所致急性肾功能损害 的保护作用。方法：将80 例接受ESWL治疗的肾结石患者,随机分为天普洛安组、拜新同组、天普洛安和拜新同联合组以及对照 组,每组20 例。检测并比较ESWL 前1 d 和后1、3、5 d 患者尿丙二醛(MDA)、N- 乙酰-beta-D- 氨基葡萄糖苷酶/ 肌酐(NAG/Cr)和 24 h尿beta2-微球蛋白(beta2-MG)的变化。结果：EWSL术后第1 天,对照组MDA、NAG/Cr和茁2-MG 水平均明显高于术前(P＜0.05), 且随着术后时间的延长,患者MDA、NAG/Cr 和beta2-MG 水平呈逐渐下降趋势,术后第1、3、5 天治疗组MDA、NAG/Cr 和beta2-MG 数值均明显低于相同时点对照组(P＜0. 05)。术后第1、3 天,联合用药组MDA、NAG/Cr和beta2-MG 水平明显低于单独用药的两组 (乌司他丁组和拜新同组)(P＜0.05),第5 天联合用药组MDA、NAG/Cr 和beta2-MG 水平与单独用药的两组(乌司他丁组和拜新同 组)比较均无明显差异(P＞0.05),单独用药的两组(乌司他丁组和拜新同组)之间在相同时点MDA、NAG/Cr 和beta2-MG 水平无明显 差异。结论：乌司他丁可显著减轻ESWL所致的肾损伤,与钙离子拮抗剂联合用药效果更佳。     

Cryosurgery and rhTNF-α play synergistic effects on a rat cortex C6 glioma model

Glioma, a type of brain tumor originating from glioma cells, varies widely in aggressiveness and causes serious symptoms, but the treatments are limited. Studies have shown that cryosurgery has multiple effects on tumor treatments, and administration of human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNF-α) arguments the anti-tumor effect of cryotherapy in breast and prostate cancers. To test the hypothesis that cryosurgery and rhTNF-α play synergistic effects against brain tumors, we established a brain glioma model on rat cortex regions following different treatments: the G1 group was sham-operated; the G2 group was treated with cryosurgery; the G3 group was treated with rhTNF-α; and G4 group received combined treatment with cryosurgery and rhTNF-α. Tumor sizes were measured by magnetic resonance imaging; DNA fragmentation was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL assay); P21(WAF1/CIP1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression levels were scored using immunohistochemical staining. G2 and G4 rats had significantly longer survival time than did G1 rats. Tumor sizes in each group were significantly decreased as compared with those in G1 rats. PCNA-positive cells were significantly decreased in G2, G3 and G4 rats as compared with G1 rats. In contrast, DNA fragmentation and P21(WAF1/CIP1)-positive cells were significantly increased in each treatment group. Importantly, a combined treatment enhanced the effects of cryosurgery. Combined treatment with cryosurgery and rhTNF-α may have a synergistic effect on glioma tumor therapy, enhancing the inhibition of proliferation and the induction of apoptosis.     

Does starvation influence the antioxidant status of the digestive gland of Nacella concinna in experimental conditions?

In a previous study we analysed the effect of diesel seawater contamination in the digestive gland of the Antarctic limpet Nacella concinna. We observed that antioxidant enzyme activities decreased after one-week starvation prior to the experiment, and this was considered in the analysis of the obtained results. To know whether the digestive gland oxidant-antioxidant status may be altered by starvation and experimental conditions, we evaluated the food deprivation effect in limpets from the nearshore shallow waters of Potter Cove, Antarctica. Organisms were acclimated to laboratory conditions and were divided in fed and starved groups, and maintained in these conditions during one month. Every week 20 limpets were sampled from each group. Digestive glands were dissected and kept frozen until they were processed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, as well as lipid peroxidation (LPO) measured as thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), protein oxidation (PO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. For both groups of limpets, SOD increased its activity in the first week of the exposure period, with a maximum in the second week. CAT activity increased significantly in the second week, only for the starved group. Similarly, GST activity also increased for starved group in the second week; but maintained this tendency for both groups until the fourth week. In fed and starved limpets, TBARS values increased significantly, during the first week and then returned to normal values. The PO levels in the starved group increased only during the first week. The GSH content, for the fed group, increased significantly after the third week. The obtained results indicate that biochemical or physiological studies conducted with N. concinna should consider the effects of food deprivation and time spent under experimental conditions.     

The prevention of cholelithiasis with infused sodium chenodeoxycholate in the prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus).

1. This study examines the efficacy of infused sodium chenodeoxycholate to prevent cholesterol gallstone formation in the prairie dog when fed a high cholesterol diet. 2. Three experimental groups were designed to examine this. The first group (N = 5) was fed a normal rat chow diet, the second group (N = 5) was fed a high cholesterol diet (0.4% cholesterol by weight), and the third group (N = 5) was fed a high cholesterol diet plus given a daily injection of intravenous sodium chenodeoxycholate (15 mg/kg). 3. All of the animals in the second group had cholesterol crystals and cholesterol gallstones. In the third group, none of the animals had gallstones, and all but one lacked cholesterol crystals. 4. Statistical analysis showed that the first and third groups were statistically identical in their lithogenic indices and biliary lipid composition. 5. We concluded that infused sodium chenodeoxycholate is effective in preventing cholesterol gallstone formation in the prairie dog when fed a high cholesterol diet.     

Catecholamines and Vitiligo

The levels of some catecholamine metabolites, namely homovanillic acid (HVA), vanil-mandelic acid (VMA), 3-methoxytyramine (MT), normetanephrine (NMN), metanephrine (MN), 3,4-dihydroxy mandelic acid (DOMAC), and 3,4-dihydroxy phenylacetic acid (DOPAC), have been evaluated in the 24 hr urines of 150 patients affected with different types of vitiligo and in 50 healthy age-matched individuals. The patients were divided into three groups according to the different phases of the disease. The first group included subjects affected either with the early active phase or with progressive increase in both number and/or the size of previous lesions. The second group included patients in whom no new lesions had appeared for between 4-8 months. In the third group the white areas had been stable for 1-5 years. The first and second groups showed values of HVA and VMA from 4 to 10 times and from ½ to 3 times higher respectively than those of controls, while no significant differences were found between the third group and controls. Our results clearly show that a significant increase of urinary levels of HVA and VMA, deriving respectively from dopamine and from norepinephrine and epinephrine characterizes the onset and the progressive active phases of vitiligo, irrespective of the type of distribution. The increased release of catecholamines from the autonomic nerve endings in the microenvironment of melanocytes in the affected skin areas might be involved in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo through two main mechanisms: (1) a direct cytotoxic action of catecholamines and/or their o-diphenol catabolites; (2) an indirect action. Skin and mucosa arterioles possess α receptors, activation of which by catecholamine discharge may cause a severe vasoconstriction, leading to epidermal and dermal hypoxia with hyperproduction of toxic oxyradicals generated by different pathways. In both cases a genetic predisposition due to insufficient radical scavengers in the affected areas should be taken into account.