Structural and functional integrity of endocrine pancreas post administration of Karwinskia humboldtiana fruit to Wistar rats: a possible therapeutic application for cancer of exocrine origin

AIMS

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma represents a therapeutic challenge due to the high toxicity of antineoplastic treatments and secondary effects of pancreatectomy. T-514, a toxin isolated from Karwinskia humboldtiana (Kh) has shown antineoplastic activity on cell lines. In acute intoxication with Kh, we reported apoptosis on the exocrine portion of pancreas. One of the mechanisms of antineoplastic agents is the induction of apoptosis, therefore our main objective was to evidence structural and functional integrity of the islets of Langerhans after the administration of Kh fruit in Wistar rats.

METHODS

TUNEL assay and immunolabelling against activated caspase-3 were used to detect apoptosis. Also, immunohistochemical tests were performed to search for glucagon and insulin. Serum amylase enzyme activity was also quantified as a molecular marker of pancreatic damage.

RESULTS

Evidence of toxicity on the exocrine portion, by positivity in the TUNEL assay and activated caspase-3, was found. On the contrary, the endocrine portion remained structurally and functionally intact, without apoptosis, and presenting positivity in the identification of glucagon and insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrated that Kh fruit induces selective toxicity on the exocrine portion and establish a precedent to evaluate T-514 as a potential treatment against pancreatic adenocarcinoma without affecting the islets of Langerhans.

Damage to pancreatic acinar cells and preservation of islets of Langerhans in a rat model of acute pancreatitis induced by Karwinskia humboldtiana (buckthorn)

Karwinskia humboldtiana (Kh) is a poisonous plant that grows in some regions of the American continent. Consuming large amounts of Kh fruit results in acute intoxication leading to respiratory failure, culminating in death within days. There is evidence of histological damage to the lungs, liver, and kidneys following accidental and experimental Kh intoxication. To date, the microscopic effect of Kh consumption on the pancreas has not been described. We examined the early effects of Kh fruit on pancreatic tissue at different stages of acute intoxication in the Wistar rat. We found progressive damage confined to the exocrine pancreas, starting with a reduction in the number of zymogen granules, loss of acinar architecture, the presence of autophagy-like vesicles, apoptosis and inflammatory infiltrate. The pancreatic pathology culminated in damaged acini characterized by necrosis and edema, with a complete loss of lobular architecture. Interestingly, the morphology of the islets of Langerhans was conserved throughout our evaluations. Taken together, our results indicate the damage induced by a high dose of Kh fruit in the Wistar rat is consistent with an early acute necrotizing pancreatitis that exclusively affects the exocrine pancreas. Therefore, this system might be useful as an animal model to study the treatment of pancreatic diseases. More importantly, as the islets of Langerhans were preserved, the active compounds of Kh fruit could be utilized for the treatment of acinar pancreatic cancer. Further studies might provide insight into the severity of acute Kh intoxication in humans and influence the design of treatments for pancreatic diseases and acinar pancreatic cancer.

In situ detection and distribution of inflammatory cytokines during the course of infection with Nocardia brasiliensis

Actinomycetoma, caused by the intracellular bacterium Nocardia brasiliensis, is characterized by an infiltration of several inflammatory cell populations. To explore aspects of the immune response in the pathogenesis of these bacteria we injected 10(6) CFU in footpads of BALB/c mice. After 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 30 and 90 days immunohistochemistry was performed to compare presence and distribution of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-beta. Analysis of serial paraffin tissue sections showed strong participation and differences in distribution of cytokine-producing cells during the course of infection. Several TNF-alpha immunoreactive lymphocytes of the dermis were present during the course of the infection, but absent in the site of inflammation. During the first 4 days, IL-1 beta immunoreactivity was observed in dendritic epidermal cells and in cells surrounding the neutrophils around the grain. In later stages of infection, immunoreactive cells to this cytokine were mainly in the periphery of the microabscesses. Strong immunoreactivity was observed with IL-6 during the course of infection. Some cells in the epidermis and dermis, as well as muscle cells and several cells at the periphery of the microabscesses, showed strong IL-6 immunoreactivity. Cells immunoreactive to IL-4, IL-10, IFN-gamma and TGF-beta were present at the site of infection and, in later stages, in cells at the periphery of the microabscesses. In conclusion a mix of proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines are produced at the same time by host cells. According to their distribution, inflammatory cytokines seems to have different functions during the course of infection with the intracellular bacterium N. brasiliensis.