Urinary tissue factor levels in neoplastic diseases

Protective effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil on TNBS-induced experimental colitis in rats

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis and treatment of ulcerative colitis remain poorly understood. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil on rats with colitis.

METHODS

Experimental colitis was induced with 1 mL trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) in 40% ethanol by intracolonic administration with 8-cm-long cannula under ether anesthesia to rats in colitis group and colitis + black cumin oil group. Rats in the control group were given saline at the same volume by intracolonic administration. Black cumin oil (BCO, Origo "100% natural Black Cumin Seed Oil," Turkey) was given to colitis + black cumin oil group by oral administration during 3 days, 5 min after colitis induction. Saline was given to control and colitis groups at the same volume by oral administration. At the end of the experiment, macroscopic lesions were scored and the degree of oxidant damage was evaluated by colonic total protein, sialic acid, malondialdehyde, and glutathione levels, collagen content, and tissue factor, superoxide dismutase, and myeloperoxidase activities. Tissues were also examined by histological and cytological analysis. Proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6], lactate dehydrogenase activity, and triglyceride and cholesterol levels were analyzed in blood samples.

RESULTS

We found that black cumin oil decreased the proinflammatory cytokines, lactate dehydrogenase, triglyceride, and cholesterol, which were increased in colitis.

CONCLUSIONS

BCO, by preventing inflammatory status in the blood, partly protected colonic tissue against experimental ulcerative colitis.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract against mercury(II)-induced cardiovascular oxidative damage in rats

This study was designed to determine the possible protective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) against Hg II-induced oxidative damage and also thromboplastic activity in the aorta and heart tissues. Wistar albino rats of either sex (200-250 g) were divided into four groups. Rats were injected intraperitoneally with (1) control (C) group: 0.9% NaCl; (2) EGb group: Ginkgo biloba extract (Abdi Ibrahim Pharmaceutical Company, Istanbul, Turkey) at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day; (3) Hg group: a single dose of 5 mg/kg mercuric chloride (HgCl(2)); and (4) Hg + EGb group: First day EGb at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day, i.p., 1 hour after HgCl(2) (5 mg/kg) injection; following four days EGb at a dose 50 mg/kg/day, i.p. After decapitation of the rats, trunk blood was obtained and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were analysed. In the aorta and heart tissues total protein, MDA, GSH levels and thromboplastic activity were determined. The results revealed that HgCl(2) induced oxidative tissue damage, as evidenced by increases in MDA levels and decreased GSH levels both in serum and tissue samples. Thromboplastic activity was increased significantly following Hg administration, which verifies the cardiotoxic effects of HgCl(2). Serum LDH and TNF-alpha were elevated in the Hg group compared with the control group. Since EGb treatment reversed these responses, it seems likely that Ginkgo biloba extract can protect the cardiovascular tissues against HgCl(2)-induced oxidative damage.

Chronic perineal fistula as a late failure manifestation of pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome

Pseudomyxoma peritonei syndrome (PMP) is a rare but fascinating entity in surgical oncology. It consists of the accumulation of mucus in the peritoneal cavity, sometimes in huge amounts, in most of the cases after rupture of an appendiceal tumor. The diagnosis and management of PMP has changed significantly in the past 15 years, with the institution of an aggressive therapeutic combination: cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal perioperative chemotherapy. Few reports deal with the late manifestations and complications at endstage of the disease. The cases presented here are unique in that they illustrate a late 'failure' in the perianal area in three patients with long-term PMP.