Modulation of detoxification enzymes by watercress: in vitro and in vivo investigations in human peripheral blood cells.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies indicate that consumption of cruciferous vegetables (CV) can reduce the risk of cancer. Supposed mechanisms are partly the inhibition of phase I and the induction of phase II enzymes. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo effects of watercress (WC), a member of the CV family, on chemopreventive parameters using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as surrogate cells. We investigated the hypothesis that WC reduces cancer risk by inducing detoxification enzymes in a genotype-dependent manner. METHODS: In vitro gene expression and enzyme activity experiments used PBMC incubated with a crude extract from fresh watercress (WCE, 0.1-10 microL/mL with 8.2 g WC per 1 mL extract) or with one main key compound phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC, 1-10 microM). From an in vivo perspective, gene expression and glutathione S-transferase (GST) polymorphisms were determined in PBMC obtained from a human intervention study in which subjects consumed 85 g WC per day for 8 weeks. The influence of WC consumption on gene expression was determined for detoxification enzymes such as superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), whilst the SOD and GPX activities in red blood cells were also analysed with respect to GST genotypes. RESULTS: In vitro exposure of PBMC to WCE or PEITC (24 h) increased gene expression for both detoxification enzymes GPX1 (5.5-fold, 1 microL/mL WCE, 3.7-fold 1 microM PEITC) and SOD2 (12.1-fold, 10 microL/mL WCE, 7.3-fold, 10 microM PEITC), and increased SOD2 activity (1.9-fold, 10 microL/mL WCE). The WC intervention had no significant effect on in vivo PBMC gene expression, as high individual variations were observed. However, a small but significant increase in GPX (p = 0.025) and SOD enzyme activity (p = 0.054) in red blood cells was observed in GSTM1*0, but not in GSTM1*1 individuals, whilst the GSTT1 genotype had no impact. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that WC is able to modulate the enzymes SOD and GPX in blood cells in vitro and in vivo, and suggest that the capacity of moderate intake of CV to induce detoxification is dependent in part on the GSTM1 genotype.

[Ultrasonics and lavage in polytraumatized patients with blunt abdominal trauma]. / Ultraschall und Lavage beim stumpfen Bauchtrauma polytraumatisierter Patienten.

The reliability of sonography and peritoneal lavage in assessing the need for immediate surgical intervention in blunt abdominal trauma was examined in a controlled prospective and retrospective study. Whereas no false results occurred using peritoneal lavage, false negative findings in sonography were 9.8% and false positive findings 3.9%. A significant difference was also found on retrospective evaluation of all cases with diagnostic peritoneal lavage (2.2% false results) and ultrasound investigations (14.9% false results). This demonstrates that sonography cannot fully replace peritoneal lavage as a diagnostic method in blunt abdominal trauma.

[Knowledge of central pontine myelinolysis]. / Zur Kenntnis der zentralen pontinen Myelinolyse.

By a case study, the authors point out the significance of a too rapid correction of hyponatremia for the development of central pontine myelinolysis. The regional anatomy of the lesion is discussed, and reference is made to the differential diagnostic spectrum.

[Relaparotomy in childhood]. / Relaparotomie im Kindesalter.

From 1.1.1976 to 31.12.1983 1,793 laparotomies were performed on children up to the age of 15 years at the Hospital of Pediatric Surgery, Mainz University. The incidence of acute unplanned relaparotomies was 4.6%. The most frequent indication of acute relaparotomy was postoperative obstruction due to adhesions (in 53% of all cases); burst abdomen, peritonitis, intestinal perforation, anastomotic insufficiency and secondary hemorrhage were less frequent causes of repeated abdominal procedures. 15% of all relaparotomised children underwent more than one repeat laparotomy. More than 40% of acute relaparotomies were performed on children within their first year of life. 56% of all relaparotomies had to be performed within the first four postoperative weeks, 87% within the first year. The lethality rate of acute relaparotomy was 15%. Lethality was especially high in children suffering from anastomotic insufficiency or burst abdomen; it increased with the number of relaparotomies. The significance of preoperative sonography for the diagnosis leading to acute unplanned relaparotomies is discussed and commented with examples.

Balance of T1-weighted images before and after application of a paramagnetic substance (Gd-DTPA).

Ten patients with encephalitis disseminata and 10 patients with cerebral ischemia underwent computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations. The results before and after the application of contrast media were compared. It is shown that T1-weighted MRI images, even after application of gadolinium-DTPA, are of little value for differential diagnosis of these diseases. In contrast, T2-weighted images did support the diagnosis of an acute stage of encephalitis disseminata versus acute ischemia. This was also true for lesions that had not been adequately depicted by computed tomography.

Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of a patient with an ectopic pregnancy.

We attempted to demonstrate the morphological changes of an extrauterine pregnancy by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging. Spin echo mode was used to take images in all three space directions. An enlargement of the uterus with an empty cavity and a hyperplasia of the supporting vasculature were demonstrated as alterations correlating with an extrauterine pregnancy.

Clinically relevant differences between amelanotic malignant melanoma and granuloma pyogenicum.

Macroscopic discrimination between amelanotic malignant melanoma (aMM) and the so-called granuloma pyogenicum (GP) is often uncertain since reliable criteria for a clear differentiation of either growth are lacking. In a search of such criteria we analysed the data of 57 consecutive in-patients with cutaneous aMM and of 83 with GP presenting at our Department during the years 1970-1988. The following items were compared with each other: duration from growth onset to definite diagnosis, site of growth, age and sex of the patients. Significant differences (p less than 0.01) between either growth were found for all items evaluated. Our results substantiate the hitherto gained impression of a remarkably shorter median history of GP as compared to aMM (5 vs. 26 weeks). Furthermore, aMM prevailed in elder (age greater than 50 years) particularly female (70%) patients, whereas GP developed about equally in both sexes and at all ages. Site distribution was also found to differ for either growth (GP predominantly in the head and neck region, rarely on lower limbs; aMM in all areas, rarely on the trunk). These data yield additional measures for clinical distinction between aMM and GP.

[Intracranial Hemangiopericytoma in a newborn (author's transl)]. / Uber ein intrakranielles Hämangioperizytom beim Neugeborenen.

Report of a large, congenital hemangiopericytoma in a male neonate. The classification of these tumours is discussed. This is the first case, to date, of a tumour of this size, found intracranially.