Combination of betulinic acid with cisplatin--different cytotoxic effects in two head and neck cancer cell lines

Betulinic acid (BetA), a new experimental cytotoxic compound that is active against human melanoma cells and neuroectodermal tumor cells, has recently been shown to be also effective against head and neck squamous carcinoma cells (HNSCC). In this study we investigated BetA in combination with cisplatin in squamous cell carcinoma cell lines of the tongue. SCC25 and SCC9 were treated with BetA and/or cisplatin. Cells were counted with an automated analyzing system. Caspase activation was determined using the M30 Cyto-Death ELISA, expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1 by Western blot analysis. Visualization of apoptotic cells was achieved by immunohistochemistry. Synergistic cytotoxic effect and the induction of apoptosis under combined treatment was observed in SCC25 cells only after 24 or 48 h, whereas treatment of SCC25 cells for 72 h with BetA and cisplatin showed antagonism or subadditive effects. In SCC9 cells, antagonism occurred over an increase of dose and time during treatment. Furthermore, we could not demonstrate a significant alteration in the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein, Mcl-1. Our in vitro data demonstrate that BetA seems to be an unlikely candidate for combination with cisplatin in the treatment of head and neck cancer.     

Plasma concentrations of brain natriuretic peptide in patients with acute ischemic stroke

BACKGROUND: Acute blood pressure (BP) elevation and cardiac abnormalities are known to follow ischemic stroke. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), which is produced in response to such cardiovascular alterations, is expected to play a hemodynamic role. We measured plasma BNP concentrations in patients with cerebral infarction (CI) to determine the implications of BNP in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients with CI, 59 with essential hypertension, 44 with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, 22 with asymptomatic atrial fibrillation (Af), and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were recruited in the study. CI patients were divided into 2 subgroups either having Af (27 patients) or not (61 patients). BNP levels were repeatedly measured in 58 patients with CI. BNP levels were compared between ischemic subgroups categorized by size of infarction. Correlation was investigated between BNP levels and hemodynamic parameters. RESULTS: BNP levels in CI patients were significantly higher, but they decreased in the subacute period. BNP levels in CI patients without Af were correlated with mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) on admission or the degree of reduction in MAP at day 1, while in CI patients with Af BNP levels showed negative correlation with MAP on admission. Follow-up serum sodium levels in CI patients with Af were negatively correlated with BNP levels on admission. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the hemodynamic implications of BNP in acute ischemic patients.     

A rapid diagnosis (SK-013) for periodontitis based on the enzymatic activity of periodontopathic bacteria. The relationship between the enzymatic activity (SK-013) and B. gingivalis, B. forsythus, T. denticola in subgingival microflora

SK-013 was developed for rapid detection of the peptidase activity in subgingival plaque samples. The purpose of this study was to determine whether SK-013 could be a marker for the presence of periodontopathic bacteria including Treponema denticola, Bacteroides gingivalis and Bacteroides forsythus which produce trypsin-like enzyme. Subgingival plaque samples were taken with 3 paper points from 10 clinically healthy sites and 30 periodontal diseased sites. The SK-013 activity of plaque sample was assayed and the cells of T. denticola, B. gingivalis and B. forsythus in the sample were counted by immunofluorescence technique. In diseased sites, both the SK-013 activity and the cell counts of these organisms were significantly higher than those in healthy sites. The proportions and cell counts of these organisms and the SK-013 activity were closely correlated with clinical parameters including Gingival Index, Plaque Index, and Probing depth. The correlation between the presence of these organisms and the SK-013 activity was significant. Correlation coefficients between the presence of T. denticola and the SK-013 activity were higher than those of others.