Ellagic acid ameliorates cisplatin induced hepatotoxicity in colon carcinogenesis

The clinical application of cisplatin (CP), one of the most extensively used antineoplastic drug, is restricted by its numerous side effects. CP's antitumor potential resides in the free generation of reactive oxygen species leading to oxidative stress. This stress is a source of the side effects associated with its use. Ellagic acid (EA), a polyphenol is known to possess multiple health benefits owing to its antioxidant properties. EA is largely metabolized by the colon microbiota of different mammals and therefore was a polyphenol of choice in the present study. The present study was thus carried out to explore the protective potential of EA on CP induced hepatotoxicity in colon tumor bearing mice. The administration of EA (10 mg/kg bwt po daily for 6 weeks) significantly ameliorated the toxicity caused by CP (5 mg/kg bwt ip once a week for 4 weeks). Activities of liver marker enzymes and lactate dehydrogenase were brought back to normal. EA cotreatment also led to a marked reduction in the extent of peroxidative damage to liver tissue as was evident from the improvement in the histopathological changes observed and FT‐IR analysis. The present study, therefore, suggests that the administration of EA reduces the CP‐induced hepatotoxicity, thereby emerging out as a potential candidate for chemopreventive action.     

Concurrent mycosis fungoides and intravascular large B-cell lymphoma in a single patient

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is an indolent, uncommon, non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma of the skin. It classically presents with patches, plaques, and tumors and may rarely show spread to internal organs or bone marrow. Up to 7.5% of MF patients may be diagnosed with a second malignancy. Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is an exceedingly rare non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphoma characterized by predominant growth of large neoplastic cells in the lumina of blood vessels. This case presents with an unusual confluence of two rare diagnoses, MF and IVLBCL, made more remarkable by the presence of both diagnoses on a single skin biopsy sample.     

Pyruvate attenuates cardiac dysfunction and oxidative stress in isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity

Pyruvate, a potent endogenous antioxidant and an important metabolic fuel is essential for the cardiac function and tissue defense mechanism. The present study was evaluated to investigate whether pyruvate attenuates the development of cardiotoxicity in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction by assessing hemodynamic, biochemical and histopathological parameters. Subcutaneous injection of ISO (85 mg/kg) administered for 2 days at an interval of 24 h was used for induction of cardiotoxicity. ISO administration significantly decreased arterial pressure indices, heart rate, contractility {(+)LVdP/dt} and relaxation {(?)LVdP/dt} and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. In addition, a significant reduction in activities of myocardial creatine phosphokinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione levels along with increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were also observed following ISO administration. However, pretreatment with pyruvate (0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg, p.o.) favorably modulated all most every studied parameters in ISO-induced myocardial injury. Furthermore, protective effect of pyruvate was confirmed by histopathological studies. Rats pretreated only with pyruvate did not produce significant change in hemodynamic, biochemical and histopathological parameters. Pyruvate at 0.50 and 1.0 g/kg doses was found to exert optimal cardioprotective effect against ISO-induced myocardial infarction. The results of our study suggest that pyruvate possessing antioxidant activity has a significant cardioprotective effect against ISO-induced myocardial injury.     

Initial experience with a self-expanding retrievable stent for recanalization of large vessel occlusions in acute ischemic stroke

Introduction  

Quicker recanalization results in better clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic strokes. We describe our experience with the use of a self-expanding, fully retrievable stent in acute intracranial occlusions.     

Assay Formats: Recommendation for Best Practices and Harmonization from the Global Bioanalysis Consortium Harmonization Team

As part of the GBC (Global Bioanalysis Consortium), the L3 assay format team has focused on reviewing common platforms used to support ligand binding assays in the detection of biotherapeutics. The following review is an overview of discussions and presentations from around the globe with a group of experts from different companies to allow an international harmonization of common practices and suggestions for different platforms. Some of the major platforms include Gyrolab, Erenna, RIA, AlphaLISA, Delfia, Immuno-PCR, Luminex, BIAcore, and ELISAs. The review is meant to support bioanalysts in taking decisions between different platforms depending on the needs of the analyte with a number of recommendations to help integration of platforms into a GLP environment.     

Interventional Sialendoscopy for Parotid Ductal Calculi: Our Preliminary Experience

With this article we present our initial experience with interventional sialendoscopy of the parotid duct for the parotid calculi. We carried out a prospective study of patients of parotid calculi in a tertiary referral centre. Diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy was performed in five cases of parotid calculi. The outcome was classified on the basis of clearance of the lumen of the duct and resolution of symptoms. Diagnostic sialendoscopy was able to diagnose the calculus in all cases. Interventional sialendoscopy was done under general anesthesia in all cases and calculus was successfully removed. The average size of sialolith was 8.2 mm. No complications occurred in any of the cases. Check sialendoscopy was done in all cases after a minimum follow up of 6 months, which showed the duct lumen to be free of stone with no stricture of the duct. Sialendoscopy is an optimal technique for removal of intraductal parotid calculi and avoids removal of the gland. In our series there was no associated morbidity and complication.