Comparison of a tumour-derived form of intestinal alkaline phosphatase with foetal and adult intestinal alkaline phosphatases

An intestinal alkaline phosphatase-like (Kasahara) isoenzyme has been isolated from the serum of a patient with lung cancer and compared with foetal intestinal alkaline phosphatase from the serum of a premature infant and with adult intestinal phosphatase isolated from serum in the same way. Although the ligand-binding sites of the three enzymes were indistinguishable, the foetal intestinal and Kasahara isoenzymes differed slightly from the adult isoenzyme in heat stability and markedly in electrophoretic mobility and neuraminidase-sensitivity, while themselves being similar in these respects. Neither the Kasahara isoenzyme nor foetal phosphatase reacted with anti-placental phosphatase monoclonal antibodies. These results suggest that the Kasahara isoenzyme corresponds to the reappearance of foetal intestinal alkaline phosphatase, rather than to modification of the adult intestinal isoenzyme.     

Gastric cytoprotection: a critical appraisal of the concept, methodology, implications, mechanisms and future research prospects

Gastric cytoprotection is the property of certain substances, particularly prostaglandins, when used in non-antisecretory doses, to protect the gastric mucosa from becoming inflamed and necrotic on being exposed to noxious agents. An association between alterations in endogenous prostaglandins and gastric mucosal damage induced by a number of drugs has also been observed. The process of adaptive cytoprotection in which mild irritants protect the gastric mucosa against the damaging effects of various necrotizing agents has been shown to be prostaglandin mediated. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this cytoprotective activity have still not been elucidated although a number of hypotheses have been proposed. Recently, thromboxanes, leukotrienes and endogenous sulfhydryls have also been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal damage induced by various necrotizing agents. This review attempts to provide an up-to-date appraisal of the concept, methodology, mechanisms and implications of this phenomenon and suggests that prostaglandins and endogenous sulfhydryls may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulceration and may serve an important function in maintaining normal gastric mucosal integrity.     

Gastroprotective activity of ginger zingiber officinale rosc., in albino rats

The cytoprotective and gastric anti-ulcer studies of ginger have been carried out in albino rats. Cytodestruction was produced by 80% ethanol, 0.6M HC1, 0.2M NaOH and 25% NaCl. Whereas gastric ulcers were produced by ulcerogenic agents including indomethacin, aspirin and reserpine, beside hypothermic restraint stress and by pylorus ligated Shay rat technique. The results of this study demonstrate that the extract in the dose of 500 mg/kg orally exert highly significant cytoprotection against 80% ethanol, 0.6M HC1, 0.2M NaOH and 25% NaCl induced gastric lesions. The extract also prevented the occurrence of gastric ulcers induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hypothermic restraint stress. These observations suggest cytoprotective and anti-ulcerogenic effect of the ginger.     

The importance of surgical education in the accuracy of implant placement during hip fracture fixation

Background  Studies have found that tip apex distance (TAD) is the strongest independent predictor of lag screw cut-out following hip fracture fixation. The objective of this study was to understand the importance of introducing the concept of TAD to surgeons. The null hypothesis was that there were no differences between fractures fixed before awareness of TAD compared with fractures fixed after awareness of TAD. Materials and Methods  This study involved assessing 75 consecutive radiographs retrospectively (before introduction of “tip apex distance” to surgeons) and 83 consecutive radiographs prospectively (after introduction of “tip apex distance” to surgeons). Radiographs were measured using a radiograph digitizer and software. Results  Average TAD in radiographs measured retrospectively was 22.6 mm compared with 9.7 mm in radiographs analysed prospectively (P ≤ 0.001). The power of this study was 97%. Conclusion  This study demonstrates that introducing the concept of “TAD” to surgeons, will improve the accuracy of lag screw placement during fixation of an extracapsular fracture. The improvements in lag screw placement will undoubted reduce cut-out of the implant post-surgery. This study was supervised by the late Professor Harper, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Leicester, who sadly died in 2008. Our thoughts are with him.     

Tetrazoles as potent anti-inflammatory agents

Various new tetrazoles were tested for their anti-inflammatory activity against carrageenin-induced paw oedema in albino rats. Among these, two most potent derivatives were evaluated in detail using cotton pellet implantation methods in albino rats of either sex. These two active analogues were also tested for their analgesic activity in albino mice and ulcerogenic liability in albino rats. All derivatives of the present series were evaluated for their antiproteolytic activity. The toxicity of the compounds was assessed by determination of their approximate LD50 in albino mice. An attempt has also been made to establish the structure activity relationship.