Interactive suppression of aberrant crypt foci induced by azoxymethane in rat colon by phytic acid and green tea

Several epidemiological studies point to a strong correlation between nutrient composition of the diet and cancer of the colon. Phytic acid, present in grains, has been credited with reducing the risk of cancer of the colon. A number of reports are available indicating the benefits of green tea consumption in reducing the risk of stomach, lung and skin cancer, but little data are available on the effect of green tea in reducing the risk of colon cancer. Also, there are no studies on the combined effect of these compounds on colon tumorigenesis. Thus the primary objective of this investigation was to elucidate the combined effects of green tea and phytic acid on colonic preneoplastic lesions and the Phase II enzyme glutathione S-transferase. Fisher 344 male weanling rats were divided into nine groups of 15 rats each and fed the experimental diet for 13 weeks. Rats received two s.c. injections of azoxymethane in saline at 16 mg/kg body wt at 7 and 8 weeks of age. Rats received three levels (0, 1 and 2%) of phytic acid with three levels (0, 1 and 2%) of green tea within each phytic acid level in a 3 x 3 factorial experiment. Results indicate that while green tea had a marginal effect (P < 0.14), phytic acid significantly reduced the incidence of aberrant crypt foci (P < 0.008). The interaction between green tea and phytic acid was significant (P < 0.029 for distal and < 0.0168 for entire colon) and positive, pointing to a synergistic effect of green tea and phytic acid.      

Abnormal expression of hepatoma specific gamma-glutamyl transferase and alteration of gamma-glutamyl transferase gene methylation status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Abnormal expression of hepatoma specific gamma-glutamyl transferase and alteration of gamma-glutamyl transferase gene methylation status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma@Jiang DR @Huang ZW @Lu JX @Tao QY @Yu JZ @Meng XY     

Microtubular inclusions in normal skin of systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Biopsy specimens of clinically normal skin of 9 consecutive patients with SLE were examined ultrastructurally to determine the presence and frequency of microtubular inclusions. Ten blood vessels were examined in each specimen; every specimen contained at least two positive blood vessels, and some contained 80 to 100% positive vessels. No correlation was found between the frequency of the inclusions and either the disease duration or antinuclear factor titer. The inclusions tended to be more frequent in patients with more acute disease. The absence of inclusions in normal skin may mitigate a diagnosis of SLE.     

End-stage periventricular leukomalacia: MR evaluation

A prospective study was performed to assess the capabilities of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in evaluation of end-stage periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in six children, aged 31-54 months, in whom PVL had been documented by neurologic ultrasonography during the neonatal period. Eight children of similar age (four premature infants and four full-term infants) with normal neurologic development served as controls. A characteristic triad of PVL abnormalities was seen on MR images: (a) abnormally increased periventricular white-matter signal intensity on the first and second echo images of a T2-weighted sequence (repetition time = 2,000-2,400 msec, echo times = 20 or 30 and 80 msec), most commonly observed in the trigone regions of the lateral ventricles bilaterally; (b) marked loss of periventricular white matter in these regions of abnormal signal intensity, predominantly in the periatrial regions; and (c) compensatory focal ventricular enlargement adjacent to regions of abnormal signal intensity. In patients with the classic periatrial distribution of PVL lesions, general correlation between the degree of neurologic impairment and the severity of MR abnormalities was demonstrated. MR imaging was useful in detecting subtle forms of PVL in cases in which neurologic damage was subclinical.     

Procoagulant activity of reversibly acylated human factor Xa

The plasma clotting factors used to treat hemophiliacs who have developed inhibitory antibodies have a shared history of limited clinical safety and utility. To improve on existing bypass factors, we have developed a reversibly acylated form of human plasma factor Xa capable of providing a time-dependent release of procoagulant activity. Factor Xa was treated with p-amidinophenyl p'-anisate to generate anisoyl Xa. The chemical modification of the protein involves acylation of the active site serine residue of factor Xa. Anisoyl Xa deacylated in a time, pH, and temperature-dependent manner. Active factor Xa generated on deacylation of anisoyl Xa exhibited amidolytic and prothrombinase complex activities in in vitro assays, the level being comparable to those of untreated factor Xa. When Anisoyl Xa was infused into rabbits, active factor Xa was generated on deacylation of the acylated enzyme, which shortened the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in a dose-dependent manner. The duration of effect on rabbit APTT could be directly correlated to the level of human plasma factor Xa. Because anisoyl Xa bypasses the "tenase" complex that is compromised in hemophilia A and B and is unaffected by inhibitory antibodies, it has the potential to be used as an effective bypass therapy.