Significance of erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase activity in a patient with idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis

In a patient with idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis, lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes and their superoxide dismutase activity were determined. The latter was found to be decreased, and the erythrocytes showed easy peroxidisability, which was shown by vulnerability to hydrogen peroxide and a marked elevation of iron-catalysed lipid peroxidation in addition to a higher basal malondialdehyde level, an end product of lipid peroxidation. These findings were correlated with haemolysis, iron-deficiency anaemia and a shortened survival of erythrocytes. Although the aetiological significance of our observations still remains to be clarified, it appears that antioxidant enzymes and the peroxidative reactivity of erythrocytes should be carefully evaluated in other patients with idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis.Abbreviations IPH idiopathic pulmonary haemosiderosis - SOD superoxide dismutase     

Immunohistological study on the histogenesis and malignant transformation of ovarian mucinous tumors, with special reference to the intestinal metaplasia

Mucinous tumors of the ovary are generally considered to have a dual origin in histogenesis. Teratomatous elements, however, have recently been reported as appearing in a process of intestinal metaplasia. Malignant transformation has also been felt to occur through intestinalization. To clarify the matter, the relationships among morphological changes in intestinalization, carcinoembryonic antigen and mucus antigens named IMA and M1, which were isolated from intestinal mucosa and ovarian mucinous cyst fluid respectively, were studied in 4 benign, 8 borderline and 6 malignant mucinous tumors of the ovary. Intestinal type and goblet- like cells were sparse, if any, in benign tumors, but conspicuous in borderline and malignant ones. Carcinoembryonic antigen was located in the glycocalyx of intestinal type cells in the benign tumors, but distributed over the entire cytoplasm increasingly with malignancy. These findings lend support to the theory that malignant transformation may occur through intestinal metaplasia in mucous tumors. M1 was positive in many cells of all mucinous tumors, but IMA was shown in some goblet-like cells of a few tumors, regardless of malignancy or the presence of argyrophil cells. These phenomena could be best understood by postulating that IMA was located in the teratomatous intestinal goblet cells of the tumors.     

Human prostate cancer cell death by novel anticancer compounds, apoptosis-inducing nucleosides from CD57+ HLA-DR(bright) natural suppressor cell line

BACKGROUND: We validated the induction of apoptosis in human prostate cancer PC3 cells by apoptosis-inducing nucleosides (AINs) released from the CD57(+)HLA-DR(bright)-natural suppressor (57.DR-NS) cell line. We analyzed the molecular signaling pathway during AINs-induced apoptosis in PC3 cells. METHODS: Direct and indirect co-cultures between 57.DR-NS and PC3 cells were performed. AINs were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) from 57.DR-NS cell cultures. Apoptosis in PC3 cells was analyzed by DNA fragmentation, sub-G(1) DNA content with flow cytometry, and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method. The DNA strand breaks and activation of caspase-3 in PC3 cells were measured by DNA unwinding and flow cytometry assay. RESULTS: The 57.DR-NS cell line generated apoptosis in PC3 cells via AINs. AINs isolated from 57.DR-NS cell cultures induced apoptosis in PC3 cells. Furthermore, we found DNA strand breaks followed by activation of caspase-3 during AINs-induced apoptosis in PC3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The data obtained here indicated that AINs could induce apoptosis in PC3 cells through DNA strand breaks and activation of caspase-3.     

A new technique for two-trocar laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: New techniques for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) that reduce the number of trocars or use very thin instruments have been devised with the goal of further minimizing surgical invasiveness. METHODS: We performed two-trocar LC using an original new technique in 70 consecutive patients. A 10-mm trocar and a 5-mm trocar were inserted in the subumbilical and epigastrium positions, respectively. A 2-mm grasper forceps was inserted directly without a trocar below the costal margin. The fundus of the gallbladder was ligated and lifted up with a folded 0 silk string and a 16-gauge vessel cannula. RESULTS: The mean operative time was 73.2 +/- 23.5 min. A third trocar was added in two cases. None of the patients required conversion of the procedure to an open cholecystectomy, and there were no intraoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Based on our experience, we think that this technique is as safe and effective as the classic four-trocar technique; moreover, it has a cost benefit.     

Laparoscopic pancreatic cystgastrostomy

Background/Purpose: Internal drainage of acute pancreatic pseudocysts is indicated after the first 6 weeks of pseudocyst documentation. It is also indicated for symptomatic chronic pseudocysts 6 cm or more in diameter. When a pseudocyst is in close contact with the posterior wall of the stomach, it is best drained by pseudocyst gastrostomy. Methods: Intragastric surgical techniques were used in 18 patients with retrogastric pseudocysts. Intragastric ports were successfully placed in all patients, and the presence of pseudocysts was confirmed by needle aspiration in 17. Results: The intragastric approach was successful in 14 patients. In three cases a small abdominal would 8 cm in length was needed. The reasons for such conversion included uncontrollable bleeding from the cystic wall in two cases and a cystic wall in contact with, but not adherent to, the posterior gastric wall in one. Bleeding was controlled through a gastrotomy, and cystgastrostomy was performed. The wound required for conversion was much smaller than that needed for planned open surgery. These procedures are called laparoscopy-assisted cystgastrostomy. Good short- and long-term results were obtained. One patient, in whom the cystgastrostomy was too small, developed a cyst infection and underwent reoperation. Except for this case, no recurrence was observed, and no further treatment was needed. Conclusions: This experience demonstrates that cystgastrostomy with the intragastric surgical technique is a safe, less invasive procedure for effectively draining a retrogastric pseudocyst. Received: April 20, 2002 / Accepted: May 13, 2002 Offprint requests to: T. Mori     

Inhibitory effect of losartan,an AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist,on increased leucocyte entrapment in retinal microcirculation of diabetic rats

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of losartan for the treatment of leucocyte entrapment in the retinal microcirculation of diabetic rats was evaluated quantitatively. METHODS: After diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (STZ), the rats were divided into two subgroups. The first subgroup (n = 6), received no medications; the second subgroup (n = 6) was given fresh drinking water supplemented with losartan (5 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Six rats that were not injected with STZ or given medications served as controls. 4 weeks after intervention, leucocyte dynamics in the retina were observed using acridine orange digital fluorography. Leucocyte entrapment in the retina was compared among the three groups. RESULTS: In the untreated diabetic rats, the number of trapped leucocytes (6.1 (SD 1.4) cells/mm(2)) increased significantly compared with control rats (2.8 (1.2) cells/mm(2); p = 0.005) and diabetic rats treated with losartan (3.1 (0.9) cells/mm(2); p = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Losartan, an AT1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist, inhibited increased leucocyte entrapment in the diabetic retina. The authors demonstrated that losartan may have therapeutic efficacy in preventing development of diabetic retinopathy. Further clinical studies of the effect of the angiotensin receptor antagonist on preventing development of diabetic retinopathy are needed.     

Inhibitory effect of bucillamine on laser-induced choroidal neovascularization in rats

PURPOSE: We investigated the inhibitory effects of bucillamine on formation of laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in a rat model. METHODS: Bucillamine administration (approximately 150 mg/kg/day) was started 1 week before photocoagulation and continued to the end of the study. Control groups received drinking water. Two weeks after photocoagulation, choroidal neovascularization development was evaluated using simultaneous fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography, and the maximal thickness of the lesions was measured histologically. RESULTS: The incidence of CNV formation was 99.5 +/- 0.2% [mean +/- standard deviation (SD)] in control rats and 64.3 +/- 15.1% with bucillamine (P < 0.01). Histological study showed that the thickness of the CNV lesions was 23.4 +/- 6.5 microm (mean +/- SD) in the bucillamine-treated rats, which was significantly decreased compared to that in controls (60.8 +/- 9.2 microm) (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that bucillamine may inhibit the development of laser-induced CNV in rats.