Skin cancers in chronic arsenic toxicity--a study of predictive value of some proliferative markers

Prolonged exposure to arsenic contaminated water produces various clinical features, cutaneous features e.g. melanosis, keratosis and cancers being very common. Evaluation of such lesions by proliferative markers can provide useful information in regards to the biological behaviour of the lesions. Thus, cases with high proliferative status can be ominous sign for development of cancers. We studied skin biopsy of 42 cases. These were evaluated with AgNOR score and PCNA stain, in addition to H & E examination. Here, invasive cancer cases had mean AgNOR score of 3.56, those with severe dysplasia had 3.0, moderate and mild dysplasia scored 1.73, benign changes had mean score of 1.35 while normal control cases had 1.08. PCNA index in cancers was above 50, that of severe dysplasia 25-30, mild to moderate dysplasia 1.0-5.0, those with benign changes 0.5 -1.0 and normal control had LI of less than 0.5%. PCNA has the advantage of less chance of observer error over AgNOR stain.

Product development studies for stabilization of oral liquid enzyme preparations containing diastase and papain

A product development study was undertaken with a view to stabilize acid sensitive amylolytic enzyme diastase and alkali sensitive proteolytic enzyme papain. An unique high technology method was adopted for both enzymes with enteric coating and non-enteric film forming materials respectively to achieve site specificity of action, better stability and to protect diastase from the adverse acid pH of the stomach. Feasibility of incorporating various excipients like thickening agents, surfactants, preservatives, etc., to produce stable elegant oral liquid suspension was also studied. Release studies of the enzymes both in simulated gastric and simulated intestinal juices showed steady and consistent release. The proteolytic and amylolytic activities were assessed by standard pharmacopoeial methods. The stability of the product during the studies was satisfactory. Reduction in addition of overages of costly enzymes met the project technically feasible and economically viable.