Antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic effect of ferulic acid in STZ-induced diabetic mice and KK-Ay mice

Antioxidant activity and biological properties of ferulic acid (FA) are well recognized. This study was designed to estimate the potential utility of FA administered orally at low dosage for improvement of hyperglycemia in diabetes. With this aim we have evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of FA in two type diabetic animal models: (1) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, a model of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM); (2) KK-Ay mice, a model of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In addition, we measured the production of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in brown adipose tissues of diabetic mice at the end of FA feeding experiment. FA at 0.01% and 0.1% of basal diet showed to suppress significantly blood glucose levels in STZ-induced diabetic mice. In KK-Ay mice 0.05% FA suppressed effectively blood glucose levels. In addition, FA inhibited the lipid peroxidation in brown adipose tissue of diabetic mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that dietary FA may be useful in alleviating oxidative stress and attenuating the hyperglycemic response associated with diabetes.

Comparison of the expression of ABH/Lewis-related antigens in polypoid and non-polypoid growth types of colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Colorectal tumors can be classified based on their growth pattern into the polypoid growth-type (PG-type) and non-polypoid growth-type (NPG-type). To ascertain whether there is any relationship between the expression of particular blood group-related antigens (A, B, H, Lewis (Le)a, sialyl Le(a), Le(x), sialyl Le(x)) in a colorectal tumor, and a tumor having polypoid or non-polypoid growth, we examined 78 PG-type and NPG-type colorectal cancers.

METHODS

Fourteen PG-type and 64 NPG-type colorectal carcinomas were subjected to immunohistochemical analyses by using monoclonal antibodies against A, B, H, Le(a), sialyl Le(a), Le(x) and sialyl Le(x).

RESULTS

The patients with NPG-type carcinomas had a significantly younger age of onset, significantly smaller maximal tumor diameter, significantly higher rate of lymph node metastasis and significantly worse prognosis than those with PG-type carcinomas. Among the 32 tumors of patients with blood type A or AB, isoantigen A was expressed in a significantly larger percentage of NPG-type carcinomas than PG-type carcinomas (95.8 vs 62.5%, respectively; P=0.014). Among all 78 tumors, sialyl Le(x) antigen was expressed in a significantly larger percentage of NPG-type than PG-type carcinomas (90.6 vs 64.3%, respectively; P=0.010). Multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model revealed that isoantigen A and sialyl Le(x) expression were independent predictive risk factors for the development of NPG-type colorectal carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the expression of isoantigen A and sialyl Le(x) in a colorectal carcinoma partially determines whether the tumor will have polypoid or non-polypoid growth.

Expression of Lewis(a), sialyl Lewis(a), Lewis(x) and sialyl Lewis(x) antigens as prognostic factors in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Altered expression of blood group-related carbohydrate antigens such as sialyl Lewis (Le)(x) antigen in tumours is associated with tumour progression behaviour and subsequent prognosis. However, the prognostic value of the expression of Le-related antigens in colorectal tumours remains unclear.

PURPOSE

To clarify the prognostic value of Le(a), sialyl Le(a), Le(x) and sialyl Le(x) expression in colorectal carcinomas as prognostic factors after surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Colorectal carcinoma samples from 101 patients with primary colorectal carcinoma who underwent surgical resection were subject to immunohistochemical analyses for Lea, sialyl Lea, Lex and sialyl Le(x) expression with the respective monoclonal antibodies.

RESULTS

Le(a), sialyl Le(a), Le(x) and sialyl Le(x) were expressed in 69 (68.3%), 73 (72.3%), 66 (65.4%) and 76 (75.3%) carcinomas, respectively. The patients with sialyl Lex-expressing tumours had more advanced cancer than those with nonsialyl Lex-expressing tumours (P=0.0029). The survival time after surgery of patients with Le(x)- or sialyl Le(x)-expressing tumours was significantly shorter than the survival time of those with non-Le(x)- or nonsialyl Le(x)-expressing tumours, respectively (P=0.023 and P=0. 0001, respectively). Cox's regression analysis revealed that Le(x) and sialyl Le(x) expression, separate from stage and histological type, were prognostic variables for patient survival (hazard ratio [HR] for sialyl Le(x)-positive expression to sialyl L(x)-negative expression 2.90; HR for Le(x)-positive expression to Le(x)-negative expression 12.76 in stage I/IV, 0.63 in stage II and 1.69 in stage III).

CONCLUSIONS

Le(x) expression and sialyl Le(x) expression in colorectal carcinomas are each associated with poor prognosis. These variables should be considered in the design of future trials.

Different expression of sialyl Tn antigen between polypoid and nonpolypoid growth types of advanced colorectal carcinoma

Colorectal tumors can be classified based on their growth pattern into the polypoid growth type (PG-type) and nonpolypoid growth type (NPG-type). We examined sialyl Tn antigen expression in advanced colorectal carcinomas that were classified as PG-type and NPG-type cancers in order to ascertain whether or not such expression correlates with other biologically and clinically important differences. A total of 94 advanced colorectal carcinomas were examined for sialyl Tn antigen expression, which was immunohistochemically detected by the monoclonal antibody TKH2. Univariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression models were performed. Forty carcinomas (42.6%) were negative and 54 (57.5%) were positive for sialyl Tn antigen. Eighteen carcinomas (19.2%) were of PG type and 76 (80.8%) of NPG type. NPG-type cancers had a higher proportion of positive lymph node metastasis than PG-type cancers. Furthermore, sialyl Tn antigen was less often detected in NPG-type cancers (39 of 76; 51.3%) than in PG-type cancers (15 of 18; 83.3%; p = 0.0167). Multivariate analysis showed that two variables, lymph node metastasis and sialyl Tn antigen expression in carcinoma, were independently related to tumor growth patterns, that is NPG type and PG type. These data suggest that the difference in sialyl Tn antigen expression between two kinds of tumor growth patterns of advanced colorectal carcinomas, PG type and NPG type, may reflect different biological behaviors during tumor progression.

Expression of blood group antigens A, B and H in carcinoma tissue correlates with a poor prognosis for colorectal cancer patients

The deletion of blood group ABH isoantigens on tumor tissues has been reported to be an adverse prognostic marker for patients with various solid tumors. In the present study, we evaluated the prognostic value of altered expression of ABH isoantigens in colorectal carcinomas. Using monoclonal antibodies, the expression of A, B, and H antigens was assessed by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded carcinoma samples from 82 patients who had undergone surgery for colorectal cancer. ABH isoantigens were found to be deleted in 36 carcinomas (43.9%) and expressed in 46 (56.1%). Univariate and multivariate analysis using a logistic regression model revealed that N factor (lymph node metastasis) and blood group type were independently related to the expression of ABH isoantigens. In contrast to previous reports on other cancers, patients whose colorectal carcinomas express ABH isoantigens had a poorer prognosis than those whose carcinomas showed deletion of ABH isoantigens (P = 0.0008). The expression of ABH isoantigens was an independent prognostic variable, in addition to T (depth of tumor invasion), N, and M (distant metastasis) factors, as shown by means of Cox regression analysis. In conclusion, the expression of ABH isoantigens in carcinoma tissue is an important poor prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer. This variable needs to be considered in the design of future trials of therapy.

Increased expression of sialyl Le(x) antigen in non-polypoid growth type of colorectal carcinoma

Colorectal carcinoma can be morphologically divided into two different categories, namely polypoid growth (PG-type) and non-polypoid growth (NPG-type). To ascertain whether the expression of sialyl Le(x) antigen correlates with biologically and clinically important differences, an immunohistochemical assay was performed in 30 PG-type and 119 NPG-type cancers. In contrast to PG-type, the characteristics of the NPG-type include (1) an increased expression of sialyl Le(x); (2) a high rate of lymph node metastasis; (3) a high proportion of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma cells; (4) young age of onset. It is concluded that differences in sialyl Le(x) expression between the PG-type and NPG-type cancers may be at least partly responsible for different tumor progression behavior.

Immunohistochemical expression of ABH/Lewis-related antigens in primary breast carcinomas and metastatic lymph node lesions

The expression of blood group antigens A, B, and H, as well as sialylated and nonsialylated forms of Lewis(a) and Lewis(x), was studied using immunohistochemical methods in normal and tumor tissues in the following cohort of patients: 51 patients with primary breast carcinoma, 13 with metastatic lymph node lesions, and 16 with benign tumors of the breast. As a control, normal tissue was obtained from a similar group of 22 patients with breast cancer. The noncancerous tissues expressed the same A/B/H antigens as the patients' red blood cells and also usually expressed Lewis-related antigens. Seventy-six percent of primary carcinomas failed to express the appropriate A/B/H antigens, and in one blood group A patient the tumor tissue expressed B antigen. In the metastatic lesions, Lewis(a)/sialyl Lewis(a) expression was reduced when compared with the primary tumors, but Lewis(x)/sialyl Lewis(x) antigens were still expressed. These results suggest a possible relationship between the metastatic behavior of the tumor and expression of the blood group antigens.

Efficiency of safety measures applied to a manual knapsack sprayer for paraquat application to maize (Zea mays L.)

The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the safety of mixer/loaders and applicators of paraquat to maize crop by knapsack sprayers and to determine the efficacy of safety measures applied to the sprayers. Potential dermal exposure (PDE) was evaluated in 22 worker body parts. The Cu2+ cation of a copper-based fungicide was used as tracer in the spray solution. Sanitary pads and cotton gloves were used to collect the pesticide solution on the sampled body parts. It was observed that paraquat application in front of the applicator's body (0.5 and 1.0 m lance) is unsafe because PDE was 1,979.8 ml/day (for 0.5 m lance) and 1,290.4 ml/day (for 1.0 m lance) and needs 50-80% and 37-69% control of PDE respectively. Control can be achieved by the use of protective garment on the legs and feet only, which received 92-93% of the PDE. Switching the spray nozzle to the back of the operator reduced the PDE by 98% and was sufficient to make working conditions safe, while maintaining the efficiency of application and making the work lighter and more comfortable. Mixer/loaders received 86% of the PDE to the hands and the work condition was safe (MOS > 1), however impermeable gloves could be used as a further safety measure.

Gallium uptake in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

In a patient with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, a rare familial sterol storage disease, increased uptake of gallium-67 was observed in the tendon xanthomas. This is considered to have resulted from the tumour-like proliferation of histiocytic cells in the xanthomas. Abnormalities in the white matter of the cerebellum and the brain stem observed by X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were not detected by 67Ga scintigraphy, possibly due to the small size of the CNS lesions.

[A case of chronic renal hemodialysis and intracranial hypertension--a study on CSF dynamics]

There are many reports on the disequilibrium syndrome due to dialysis in patients with chronic renal failure. However, they do not mention the findings of CT cisternography and MRI. We intend to investigate the mechanism of CSF dynamics in a patient with disequilibrium syndrome by means of these radiological examinations. A 31 year-old woman who had suffered from renal failure for 18 years was found to have prominent increase of serum creatinine (18.1 mg/dl) and BUN (127 mg/dl) 3 years ago. At that time, digital marking of the skull was already present by X-ray examination without other destruction in bone survey of the whole body. She was hemodialysed by the hollow fiber kidney three times weekly (dialysis time 4.5 hours, dialysate osmotic pressure 270 mOsm/kg H2O). Three months ago, she began to complain of severe headache, nausea and vomiting 2 hours after the beginning of dialysis, so that she was referred to Kosei Hospital. On admission, she showed exophthalmus, concentric narrowing of the visual field, optic atrophy and hyperreflexia in jaw and four extremities. After admission, she received hemodialysis therapy thrice weekly (dialysis time 5 hours, dialysate osmotic pressure 290 mOsm/kg H2O). At the same time, 200 ml of glycerol (contents of glycerin 10, fructose 5, NaCl 0.9%) was administered intravenously during dialysis, which ameliorated the symptoms of intracranial hypertension. Laboratory studies revealed marked decrease of serum creatinine, BUN and uric acid levels and osmotic pressure, and increase of blood pH at the time of postdialysis compared with predialysis. Manometric CSF pressure increased up to 310 mmH2O at the day without dialysis before the glycerol administration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)