Detection of NADH and NADPH levels in vivo identifies shift of glucose metabolism in cancer to energy production

Profound changes in the metabolism of cancer cells have been known for almost 100 years, and many aspects of these changes have continued to be actively studied and discussed. Differences in the results of various studies can be explained by the diversity of tumours, which have differing processes of energy metabolism, and by limitations in the methods used. Here, using fluorescence lifetime needle optical biopsy in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) mouse model and patients with HCC, we measured reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in control liver, and in HCC tumours and their adjacent regions. We found that NADH level (mostly responsible for energy metabolism) is increased in tumours but also in adjacent regions of the same liver. NADPH level is significantly decreased in the tumours of patients but increased in the HCC mouse model. However, in the ex vivo tumour slices of mouse HCC, reactive oxygen species production and glutathione level (both dependent on NADPH) were significantly suppressed. Thus, glucose-dependent NADH and NADPH production in tumours changed but with a more pronounced shift to energy production (NADH), rather than NADPH synthesis for redox balance.

Deconvolution of the fluorescence spectra measured through a needle probe to assess the functional state of the liver

OBJECTIVES

Currently, one of the most pressing issues for surgeons in the treatment of obstructive jaundice is the ability to assess the functional state of the liver and to detect and determine the degree of liver failure in a timely manner with simple and objective techniques. In this regard, the use of fluorescence spectroscopy method can be considered as one of the ways to improve the informativity of existing diagnostic algorithms in clinical practice and to introduce new diagnostic tools. Thus, the aim of the work was to study in vivo the functional state of liver parenchyma by the method of fluorescence spectroscopy implemented through a needle probe and assess the contribution of the main tissue fluorophores to reveal new diagnostic criteria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared data from 20 patients diagnosed with obstructive jaundice and 11 patients without this syndrome. Measurements were performed using a fluorescence spectroscopy method at excitation wavelengths of 365 and 450 nm. Data were collected using a 1 mm fiber optic needle probe. The analysis was based on the comparison of the results of deconvolution with the combinations of Gaussian curves reflecting the contribution of the pure fluorophores in the liver tissues.

RESULTS

The results showed a statistically significant increase in the contribution of curves reflecting NAD(P)H fluorescence, bilirubin, and flavins in the group of patients with obstructive jaundice. This and the calculated redox ratio values indicated that the energy metabolism of the hepatocytes may have shifted to glycolysis due to hypoxia. An increase in vitamin A fluorescence was also observed. It may also serve as a marker of liver damage, indicating impaired vitamin A mobilization from the liver due to cholestasis.

CONCLUSIONS

The results obtained reflect changes associated with shifts in the content of the main fluorophores characterizing hepatocyte dysfunction caused by accumulation of bilirubin and bile acids and after disturbance of oxygen utilization. The contributions of NAD(P)H, flavins, and bilirubin as well as vitamin A can be used for further studies as promising diagnostic and prognostic markers for the course of liver failure. Further work will include collecting fluorescence spectroscopy data in patients with different clinical effects of obstructive jaundice on postoperative clinical outcome after biliary decompression.

Fluorescence lifetime needle optical biopsy discriminates hepatocellular carcinoma

This work presents results of in vivo and in situ measurements of hepatocellular carcinoma by a developed optical biopsy system. Here, we describe the technical details of the implementation of fluorescence lifetime and diffuse reflectance measurements by the system, equipped with an original needle optical probe, compatible with the 17.5G biopsy needle standard. The fluorescence lifetime measurements observed by the setup were verified in fresh solutions of NADH and FAD⁺⁺, and then applied in a murine model for the characterisation of inoculated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent liver tissue. The technique, applied in vivo and in situ and supplemented by measurements of blood oxygen saturation, made it possible to reveal statistically significant transformation in the set of measured parameters linked with the cellular pools of NADH and NADPH. In the animal model, we demonstrate that the characteristic changes in registered fluorescent parameters can be used to reliably distinguish the HCC tissue, liver tissue in the control, and the metabolically changed liver tissues of animals with the developed HCC tumour. For further transition to clinical applications, the optical biopsy system was tested during the routing procedure of the PNB in humans with suspected HCC. The comparison of the data from murine and human HCC tissues suggests that the tested animal model is generally representative in the sense of the registered fluorescence lifetime parameters, while statistically significant differences between their absolute values can still be observed.

[Multidisciplinary approach to surgical treatment of patients with superficial abdominal obesity]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze an effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery with simultaneous abdominoplasty in patients with superficial abdominal obesity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Laparoscopic abdominal, retroperitoneal and pelvic surgery with simultaneous abdominoplasty was performed in 25 patients with body mass index >40 kg/m².

RESULTS

Surgery time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly higher after simultaneous surgery (p<0.05). However, these differences did not influence postoperative period. Duration of analgesic therapy, activation of patients and length of hospital-stay, as well as overall postoperative morbidity were similar in both groups (p>0.05). Simultaneous abdominoplasty resulted significantly better quality of life according to almost all parameters (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

According to certain indications, abdominoplasty is advisable as the first stage of simultaneous surgery in patients with large subcutaneous fat apron after bariatric surgery or in those with primary superficial abdominal obesity. The positive aspects of abdominoplasty are simplification of laparoscopic stage, reduced intra-abdominal pressure in postoperative period, excellent and good aesthetic effect and improved quality of life.

[Complex use of ultrasound tomography in the algorithm of diagnostics for patients with acute destructive pancreatitis]

The article describes the experience of puncture aspiration biopsy in 136 patients (110 males and 26 females at the age of 19-74) with suspected destructive pancreatitis in one-day inpatient conditions, followed by microscopic and microbiological tests. In order to increase the diagnostic accuracy when detecting necrotic zones, 49 patients were examined by ultrasonic tomography using the color Doppler mapping and the method of energetic Doppler with subsequent spot puncture. The results of microbiological and cytological tests of the smear materials taken by fine-needle aspiration under ultrasonic control enable the authors to use the most efficient antibacterial therapy as well as to support the strategy of surgical treatment of destructive pancreatitis in its various forms in the conditions when clinical differential diagnosis is complicated. These methods increase the efficacy of medical treatment for this category of patients.