Estimation of glycogen levels in human colorectal cancer tissue: relationship with cell cycle and tumor outgrowth.

In this study, we quantitatively measured glycogen levels in tissue samples obtained from tumors, regions adjacent to tumor, and regions of normal colorectum to determine whether the levels were related to cell cycle and cancer growth. Glycogen levels were analyzed in relation to histopathological factors, (tumor size and stage of disease) and cell cycle progression. The glycogen level was found to be highest in the cancer tissue, lower in normal tissue, and lowest in the adjacent tissue. The difference in glycogen level between the cancer tissue and the other two regions was significant (P < 0.05). There was a negative correlation between glycogen level and tumor size, but it was not significant. The level of glycogen in cancer tissues decreased as the stage of the disease progressed, but a significant difference was not found between stages. There was a negative correlation between the glycogen level and the proliferation index. There was a positive correlation between the glycogen level and the proportion of cancer cells in G1 phase, while there was a negative correlation with S and G2M phases. Glycogen levels were highest in cancers with a high proportion of cells in G1, and decreased with progression to S phase. It may be that glycogen is utilized in the progression to S phase, and the cancer tissues are supplied with glycogen from the tumors themselves as well as their adjacent tissues. Cancer growth may be inhibited by artificial control of the glycogen level in the G1 phase of cancer cells.

[Laboratory and clinical studies on cefpirome in pediatrics].

Laboratory and clinical studies on cefpirome (CPR, HR 810), a newly developed cephem antibiotic, were performed. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Absorption and elimination of the drug were examined in a total of 7 children including 3 cases of administered with 20 mg/kg intravenous bolus injection (i.v.), 2 cases with 20 mg/kg drip infusion (d.i.v.) for 60 minutes and 2 cases with 40 mg/kg (d.i.v.) for 60 minutes. Maximum serum levels were attained immediately after i.v. or d.i.v. Cmax's were 233 +/- 7.6, 88.5 +/- 14.5, and 116 +/- 15 micrograms/ml, respectively for the above 3 modes of administration. These values were determined using a bioassay method with Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633. T 1/2 (beta)'s were 1.18 +/- 0.17, 1.61 +/- 0.28 and 2.68 +/- 0.83 hours, respectively. Cumulative urinary recovery rates were 40.2-69.8% in a period of 0-6 hours after admissions. 2. Clinical efficacies were evaluated in a total of 20 patients with ages ranging from 9 months to 11 years. The treated cases were 6 cases of acute pneumonia, 4 cases of acute bronchitis, 4 cases of acute purulent tonsillitis, 2 cases of acute urinary tract infections, 2 cases of cellulitis, 1 case of purulent lympadenitis and 1 case of acute otitis media. The clinical efficacy rate was 94.7%. Adverse reactions occurred in no patients. Abnormal changes in laboratory test values involved only 1 case with elevated GOT and GPT. CPR was considered to be a safe and useful drug in treating various infectious diseases in children.

[Pharmacokinetic and clinical studies of cefodizime in the field of obstetrics and gynecology].

Cefodizime (THR-221, CDZM), a new antibiotic, was studied pharmacokinetically and clinically. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Concentrations of CDZM in internal genital tissues were quite high after an intravenous infusion. 2. Clinical effects of the therapy with CDZM using intravenous infusion twice daily were evaluated in 1 patient with endometritis, 2 patients with pyometra, 1 patient with extragenital abscess and 1 patient with BARTHOLIN'S gland abscess. Clinical responses were good in all 5 patients. No side effects nor abnormal laboratory test values due to the drug were noted.