Role of OATP2A1 in PGE(2) secretion from human colorectal cancer cells via exocytosis in response to oxidative stress.

Chronic inflammation induced by reactive oxygen species is associated with increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which serves as a key mediator of inflammatory responses, plays an important role in CRC initiation and progression. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of prostaglandin transporter OATP2A1/SLCO2A1 in the changes of PGE2 disposition in CRC cells in response to oxidative stress. H2O2 induced translocation of cytoplasmic OATP2A1 to plasma membranes in LoVo and COLO 320DM cells, but not in Caco-2 cells. The shift of subcellular OATP2A1 was abolished in the presence of anti-oxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine or an inhibitor of protein kinase C, which evokes exocytosis. Exposure of LoVo cells to H2O2 caused an increase in the amount of extracellular PGE2 without changing the sum of intra- and extracellular PGE2. OATP2A1 knockdown decreased extracellular PGE2 in LoVo cells. In addition, extracellular PGE2 was significantly reduced by exocytosis inhibitor cytochalasin D, suggesting that H2O2-induced PGE2 release occurs in an exocytotic manner. Furthermore, mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly reduced in LoVo cells by knockdown of OATP2A1. These results suggest that cytoplasmic OATP2A1 likely facilitates PGE2 loading into suitable intracellular compartment(s) for efficient exocytotic PGE2 release from CRC cells exposed to oxidative stress.

Minimally invasive hybrid surgery combined with endoscopic and thoracoscopic approaches for submucosal tumor originating from thoracic esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Despite the efficacy of molecular targeted therapy, surgical resection remains the only curative primary treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). However, in cases when the tumor originates from the thoracic esophagus, conventional transthoracic approach is highly invasive. METHODS: All procedures were performed with patients in a prone position through a double-lumen endotracheal tube for single-lung ventilation. First, to clarify the resection layer between the tumor and mucosal layer of the esophagus, a sodium hyaluronate solution colored with indigo carmine was injected into the submucosa via the esophagoscopic approach. Second, we thoracoscopically divided the longitudinal muscle of the esophagus and enucleated the tumor through three ports by dissecting along the artificially colored submucosa, thereby minimizing accidentally opening of the esophageal mucosa. Third, we sutured the divided longitudinal muscle layer and removed the tumor from the thoracic cavity. RESULTS: Four tumors, including one GIST, were successfully resected via this hybrid approach. The mean surgical time was 137.7 min (range, 60-231 min), and the mean blood loss was 21.2 ml (range, 3-65 ml). No perioperative complications occurred, including with accidental opening of the esophageal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Our minimally invasive hybrid surgery combined with esophagoscopic and thoracoscopic approaches demonstrated successful resection. This surgery could have advantages both for curing esophageal submucosal tumor and for minimizing surgical invasiveness.

Reaction mechanism and the role of copper in the photooxidation of alcohol over Cu/Nb2O5.

Loading of a small amount of copper on Nb(2)O(5) significantly enhances the activity of alcohol photooxidation without organic solvents. Alcohol is adsorbed on the Lewis acid site (Nb(V)) to form an alkoxide species. Photogenerated holes and electrons on Cu/Nb(2)O(5) are trapped by the adsorbed alkoxide and Cu(II) species to form the alkoxide carbon radical and Cu(I) species. The formed alkoxide carbon radical is converted to a carbonyl compound and then desorbed. Finally, the reduced Cu(I) sites are reoxidized by reaction with O(2). The alcohol photooxidation over Nb(2)O(5) takes place under not only UV irradiation but also under visible light irradiation up to 450 nm, although the band gap of Nb(2)O(5) is 390 nm (3.2 eV). DFT calculations reveal that 1) the surface donor level derived from the adsorbed alkoxide species is located in the forbidden band, 2) direct electron transition from the surface donor level to the conduction band takes place by absorbing a photon, 3) the excitation energy from surface donor level to the Nb 4d conduction band is lower than that from the O 2p valence band to Nb 4d. The kinetic study and FT/IR spectra suggest that Cu(I) acts as an effective desorption site for the products. Based on these results, we conclude that copper functions as an effective redox promoter and desorption site for the product.

A Rare Case of Adrenal Cysts Associated With Bilateral Incidentalomas and Diffuse Hyperplasia of the Zona Glomerulosa.

Characterization of adrenocortical disorders is challenging because of varying origins, laterality, the presence or absence of hormone production, and unclarity about the benign or malignant nature of the lesion. Histopathological examination in conjunction with immunohistochemistry is generally considered mandatory in this characterization. We report a rare case of bilateral adrenocortical adenomas associated with unilateral adrenal endothelial cysts in a 65-year-old woman whose condition was not diagnosed before surgery. Detailed histological examination of the resected adrenal glands revealed hyperplasia in the zona glomerulosa. Despite hyperplasia, the patient had normal serum aldosterone levels and renin activity without clinical evidence of hypertension. The patient was treated with a sodium-glucose cotransporter protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. This may have stimulated the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in which both relatively large bilateral adrenocortical adenomas and unilateral adrenal endothelial cysts were detected. This case also highlights the complexity and difficulty of preoperative diagnosis. Furthermore, this case reports the first detailed histopathological examination of adrenal lesions with SGLT2 treatment and the possibility of SGLT2 inhibitor treatment resulting in histological hyperplasia in the zona glomerulosa; however, it is difficult to prove a causative relationship between SGLT2 inhibitors and hyperplasia of the zona glomerulosa based on the data of this case. It can be confirmed only under limited conditions; therefore, further studies on adrenal gland histology employing SGLT2 inhibition are warranted.

Adrenocortical insufficiency in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, a type 2 diabetes mellitus model.

In diabetes, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis causes effects such as elevation of corticotropin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids. Cholecystokinin and its receptors are involved in the HPA axis and influence the regulation of the HPA axis. We examined adrenocortical function in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, that lack the cholecystokinin A receptor. We measured adrenal weight, plasma ACTH, serum and urinary corticosterone, and serum leptin in OLETF rats at 5 to 36 weeks of age. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 5alpha-reductase type 1 in adrenal glands of the rats were examined. Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as controls. In OLETF rats at 32 to 36 weeks of age, plasma ACTH was significantly higher (P < .001); serum corticosterone and 24-hour urinary corticosterone were significantly lower (P < .005); and adrenal weight was significantly lower (P < .005) than those in LETO rats. At the same ages, serum leptin in OLETF rats was significantly higher (P < .001) than that in LETO rats. In the younger OLETF rats, these changes were not observed. Overall, there was an inverse correlation between serum corticosterone and serum leptin (r = -0.374, P < .0005), whereas there was a positive correlation between plasma ACTH and serum leptin (r = 0.654, P < .0001). At 5 and 36 weeks of age, mRNA expression of 5alpha-reductase type 1 in the adrenal gland of OLETF rats was significantly higher (P < .05) than that of LETO rats, whereas there was no significant difference in mRNA expressions of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase types 1 and 2. We showed that adrenocortical insufficiency and adrenal atrophy were acquired in OLETF rats, and the possibility of elevated serum leptin relates to this phenomenon.

Anti-albuminuric effect of losartan versus amlodipine in hypertensive Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A prospective, open-label, randomized, comparative study.

UNLABELLED: Abstract. BACKGROUND: The antiproteinuric effect of the angiotensin II receptor-antagonist losartan has been observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Proteinuria is considered to be a predictor of the progression of kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: The aims of the present study were to compare and examine the ability of losartan and amlodipine to ameliorate albuminuria in hypertensive Japanese patients (systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg) with T2DM and whether the change in albuminuria was associated with a change in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). METHODS: This prospective, open-label, randomized, comparative study was conducted over 3 months at the Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan. Hypertensive patients with T2DM were enrolled and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 study groups receiving either losartan (25-100 mg/d) or the calcium channel-blocker amlodipine (2.5-5 mg/d). Urinary albumin excretion (UAE), creatinine clearance, and GFR were recorded at study initiation (baseline) and study end (month 3). The GFR was measured from the fractional renal accumulation of (99m)Tc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid. Adverse events (AEs) were monitored by a clinical research nurse during the examination. RESULTS: Fifty patients were asked to enroll and 38 returned the informed written consent. Thirty-five Japanese patients were included in the final study analysis. Seventeen patients were assigned to the losartan group (male sex, 10 [58.8%]; mean [SD] age, 58.1 [8.2] years) and 18 were assigned to the amlodipine group (male sex, 10 [55.6%]; mean [SD] age, 57.4 [8.9] years); no significant between-group difference in demographics was observed. A significant decrease from baseline to month 3 of mean (SD) UAE was observed in the losartan group (352.5 [556.6] mg/d vs 275.7 [466.1] mg/d; P = 0.048). No significant difference in mean (SD) UAE was observed in the amlodipine group for the same time period (298.2 [416.6] mg/d vs 322.7 [415.4] mg/d). There was a statistically significant difference found in the mean (SD) percent change of UAE from baseline to month 3 in the losartan group compared with the amlodipine group (-23.52 [28.42] vs +27.90 [63.51]; P = 0.004). Neither group was associated with a significant change in GFR during the course of the study. No patient discontinued the study due to AEs that were considered, by the investigator, to be possibly or probably associated with study treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with losartan, but not amlodipine, was associated with a reduction in albuminuria in these hypertensive Japanese patients with T2DM within a period as short as 3 months. Neither drug was associated with a significant change in GFR. Therefore, the reduction of UAE was independent of a change in the GFR.

A novel role for OATP2A1/SLCO2A1 in a murine model of colon cancer.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is associated with proliferation and angiogenesis in colorectal tumours. The role of prostaglandin transporter OATP2A1/SLCO2A1 in colon cancer tumorogenesis is unknown. We evaluated mice of various Slco2a1 genotypes in a murine model of colon cancer, the adenomatous polyposis (APC) mutant (Apc ∆716/+) model. Median lifespan was significantly extended from 19 weeks in Slco2a1 +/+/Apc Δ716/+ mice to 25 weeks in Slco2a1 -/-/Apc Δ716/+ mice. Survival was directly related to a reduction in the number of large polyps in the Slco2a1 -/- /Apc ∆716/+ compared to the Slco2a1 +/+/Apc Δ716/+ or Slco2a1 +/-/Apc Δ716/+mice. The large polyps from the Slco2a1 -/- /Apc ∆716/+ mice had significant reductions in microvascular density, consistent with the high expression of Slco2a1 in the tumour-associated vascular endothelial cells. Chemical suppression of OATP2A1 function significantly reduced tube formation and wound-healing activity of PGE2 in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) although the amount of extracellular PGE2 was not affected by an OATP2A1 inhibitor. Further an in vivo model of angiogenesis, showed a significant reduction of haemoglobin content (54.2%) in sponges implanted into Slco2a1 -/-, compared to wildtype mice. These studies indicate that OATP2A1 is likely to promote tumorogenesis by PGE2 uptake into the endothelial cells, suggesting that blockade of OATP2A1 is an additional pharmacologic strategy to improve colon cancer outcomes.

Renal rupture associated with a poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasizing to the thigh muscle, lung and kidney.

A 76-year-old woman with a history of total thyroidectomy for a thyroid carcinoma at the age of 63 was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of a renal rupture induced by a tumor of about 3 cm in diameter. High levels of blood thyroglobulin (Tg>1,000 ng/ml) led us to suspect a recurrence of thyroid carcinoma. Strong accumulation in whole-body 123I and 201Tl scintigraphy scans after the nephrectomy revealed tumors in the right lung and left thigh muscle measuring 5 cm and 9 cm in diameter, respectively. The tumors of the kidney and thigh muscle were pathologically diagnosed as poorly differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma, and the lung tumor was also suggested to be a metastasis of the thyroid carcinoma based on the scintigraphy findings. We report this rare case of follicular thyroid carcinoma associated with metastases to the thigh muscle and kidney leading to a rupture 13 years after a total thyroidectomy. Care should be taken to determine whether unknown tumors are thyroid carcinoma metastases.

A role of prostaglandin transporter in regulating PGE2 release from human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells in response to LPS.

Naturally occurring prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) plays a role in inflammatory responses through eicosanoid signaling pathways. PGE2 is impermeable to cell membranes at physiological pH and needs solute carrier across the membranes; however, it remains unclear how intercellular concentrations of PGE2 are regulated under the condition of inflammation. We aimed to clarify a role of organic anion-transporting polypeptide 2A1 (OATP2A1/SLCO2A1), also known as prostaglandin transporter (PGT), in PGE2 release from cells. Human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and PGT inhibitors were tested to evaluate contribution of PGT to PGE2 release by assessing its extracellular concentration and characterizing PGT-mediated PGE2 efflux in Xenopus laevis oocytes. As a result, LPS elevated mRNA expression of a pro-inflammatory cytokine IL6 and extracellular concentration of PGE2 in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells. PGT inhibitors tested (e.g. bromocresol green (BCG), bromosulfophthalein (BSP), and PGB1) significantly inhibited efflux of PGE2 from oocytes expressing PGT. Similarly, the amount of released PGE2 from the BEAS-2B cells decreased in the presence of BCG and BSP by 45 and 44% respectively while TGBz increased the concentration by 71%, suggesting that PGT mediates the release. In conclusion, these results imply a role of PGT in regulating intra- and extracellular concentrations of PGE2 in response to cells under inflammatory conditions.

Efficacy and safety of metformin for treatment of type 2 diabetes in elderly Japanese patients.

AIM: The maximum dosage of metformin allowed for clinical use in Japan is much less than half that in Western countries, making it difficult to apply the results of clinical trials in Western countries to Japanese patients. In particular, the efficacy and safety of metformin in elderly patients are largely unknown. METHODS: Among 1508 patients who were newly prescribed metformin at our hospital from 2000-2006, patients with sufficient clinical data were retrospectively studied for the safety (n=1132) and efficacy (n=568) of the drug. Of 568 patients in whom the efficacy of metformin was analyzed, 180 patients (31.7%) were elderly, aged 65 years or over. RESULTS: Metformin was effective for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in Japanese patients, with significant improvement in HbA1c level at all time-points after 1 month, with the largest decrease by approximately 0.9% in patients treated with 750 mg/day and approximately 0.7% in those treated with 500 mg/day, at 4 months. Metformin improved glycemic control in elderly patients as well as non-elderly patients. The efficacy was independent of age, sex, degree of obesity and concomitant use of other drugs. No significant difference was observed in elevated lactic acid levels between elderly and non-elderly patients. No case of lactic acidosis was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the efficacy of metformin in Japanese elderly patients with type 2 diabetes is not different from that in non-elderly patients, and that its safety might be linked to specific and well-documented contraindications rather than age itself.

Clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease with anti-islet autoimmunity.

In contrast to the large number of studies on autoimmunity against the thyroid gland in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, little is known about the anti-islet autoimmune status in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs). We therefore studied the anti-islet autoimmune status in patients with AITD and the clinical and genetic characteristics of AITD patients with anti-islet autoimmunity. The positivity and titer of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GAD Ab) were studied in 866 Japanese patients with AITD (546 with Graves disease and 320 with Hashimoto thyroiditis), 221 patients with thyroid disease of nonautoimmune origin, and 282 control subjects. The clinical characteristics and genotypes of HLA-DRB1, DQB1, and CTLA4 were compared between AITD patients with and without GAD Ab. The prevalence of GAD Ab was significantly higher in AITD patients than in control subjects (5.8% vs 2.1%, P = .01), particularly in Graves disease (7.1% vs 2.1%, P = .0019). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in AITD patients with GAD Ab than in those without (40.0% vs 10.1%, P < .0001), particularly in those with a high titer of GAD Ab (high vs low titer: 64% vs 16%, P = .001) and also in those positive for insulinoma-associated antigen 2 (IA-2) Ab (IA-2 positive vs negative: 75.0% vs 31.3%, P = .016). The AITD patients with GAD Ab were characterized by younger age at onset of diabetes, lower body mass index, higher hemoglobin A(1c) level, and higher frequency of insulin therapy than those without GAD Ab. The frequency of the DRB1*0405-DQB1*0401 haplotype was significantly higher in AITD patients with GAD Ab than in those without GAD Ab and control subjects. A single nucleotide polymorphism (rs3087243) of CTLA4 was significantly associated with AITD, but not with positivity of GAD Ab. These results indicate that patients with AITD, and in particular Graves disease, are prone to develop ß-cell autoimmunity and insulin-requiring diabetes, particularly those with a high titer of GAD Ab and/or positive for both GAD and IA-2 Ab. Glutamic acid decarboxylase Ab positivity in AITD patients was associated with HLA, conferring susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Gonadal hormones and gonadal function in type 2 diabetes model OLETF (Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats.

Gonadal functions, with special reference to blood levels of sex-related markers such as 17beta-estradiol (E2), free testosterone (free Te) and lutenizing hormone (LH), were examined in male OLETF (Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty) diabetic rats, a model of human type 2 diabetes mellitus. Male rats of the OLETF strain and male rats of the LETO strain, which act as a control of OLETF, both supplied by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Tokushima, Japan), were periodically examined for blood levels of E2, free Te and LH at the age of 4, 5, 32, 40 and 64 weeks. The weight of the testis, the number of sperm contained within and histological findings of the testis were comparatively studied in both strains. Glucose and insulin (IRI) at fasting were examined to evaluate the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. In order to investigate any sex hormone imbalance, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was measured by a dextran- charcoal assay. All of the OLETF rats became diabetic at the age of 32 weeks. There were no significant differences between OLETF and LETO rats regarding free Te, E2, LH or SHBG during the observation period from 4 to 64 weeks. Testis weight was significantly decreased in OLETF rats at 32 and 64 weeks and sperm counts at 64 weeks of age were also significantly decreased. Histologically, there was seminiferous tubule atrophy in the OLETF rats at 64 weeks of age. A significant negative correlation between testis weight and fasting blood glucose, as well as HOMA index, was observed in OLETF rats. In male diabetic OLETF rats, with a variety of hypogonadisms such as atrophy of the testis and low sperm count, the serum levels of E2, free Te, LH and SHBG were normally preserved.

Type 1 diabetes associated with asymptomatic acromegaly successfully treated with surgery after pregnancy: a case report.

We report a rare case of type 1 diabetes in a woman associated with acromegaly who was treated with surgery after pregnancy. An 18-year-old woman came to our hospital in April, 1998, complaining of thirst, polydipsia, polyuria, appetite loss, body weight loss of 8 kg in a month, and amenorrhea beginning 2 months earlier. Based on laboratory data, she was diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes mellitus. Although we suspected her of having acromegaly because of high growth hormone (GH) levels (6.9 or 8.5 ng/ml), blood levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) were within normal range and the circadian rhythm of her blood GH levels was normally maintained. Her blood GH level was elevated to 12.6 ng/ml 15 minutes after a TRH administration. Blood GH levels were suppressed from 49 ng/ml to 1.5 ng/ml 4 hours after an oral administration of 2.5 mg of bromocriptine. A magnetic resonance images (MRIs) showed pituitary swelling, but no nodules were found in the pituitary. Therefore, we diagnosed her as having acromegaly and observed her without surgery, while prescribing diet therapy and intensive insulin therapy for diabetes. We started a treatment of oral administration of 7.5 mg of bromocriptine per day for the acromegaly from April 28, 2000, because her elevated GH was suspected of causing her diabetes to be poorly controlled. During a pregnancy from October, 2000 to September, 2001, diabetic control was improved with increased administration of insulin under a constant dose of bromocriptine. She delivered a normal full-term infant. After the bromocriptine therapy was stopped as she hoped to breastfeed, blood levels of GH and IGF-1 became elevated and her diabetic control deteriorated. As her pituitary tumor observed in pituitary MRIs became larger during the course, a transsphenoidal surgery was performed on March 8, 2002. After the surgery, blood levels of GH and IGF-1 lowered and diabetic control improved again. We concluded as follows: to rule out acromegaly in patients with poorly controlled diabetes, 1) measurements of serum GH and IGF-1 should be performed, and 2) pituitary MRIs should be performed if blood levels of GH or IGF-1 are high.

The effect of leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and nitric oxide (NO) production on insulin resistance in Otsuka Long-Evans fatty rats.

Adipocytokines and nitric oxide (NO) play important roles in type 2 diabetes; however, the regulatory mechanism has not been fully clarified. To investigate the role of adipocytokines and NO production on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes, the LETO rats and the OLETF rats were fed a control diet or a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks the blood levels of leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and NO were measured. As an indicator of insulin resistance, the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-R) was applied. Food intake in high-fat diet group rats was lower than in control diet group rats. The high fat diet increased body weight (BW), but did not significantly affect the HOMA-R and blood pressure (BP). Leptin and TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in the OLETF rats than in the LETO rats, while NO levels did not change between the two groups. The high-fat diet elevated blood leptin levels, but not TNF-alpha and NO levels. The HOMA-R in the OLETF rats was correlated with leptin, but not with BP, BW, TNF-alpha or NO. NO showed an inverse correlation with BP. In conclusion, leptin, TNF-alpha, and NO may each regulate insulin sensitivity through their own unique pathways. The elucidation of the regulatory mechanism of adipocytokines and NO may give a clue to clarify the pathophysiology of insulin resistance.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM): an autopsy case report.

An 84-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for the examination and treatment of painful right thyroid swelling on August 2, 2002. Thyroid ultrasonography showed a mass of about 6 cm in diameter at the right thyroid lobe. Aspiration biopsy cytology (ABC) of her mass showed a thyroid carcinoma. Her neck mass was cold on (123)I scintigraphy and hot on both early- and delayed- phase (201)Tl scintigraphy. Whole body (67)Ga scintigraphy scan showed a strong hot accumulation in the area from the right thyroid lobe to the right lateral lobe. Multiple lung tumors were observed from chest computed tomography (CT) scans. She was diagnosed as having an anaplastic thyroid carcinoma with metastatic lung tumors. As her thyroid carcinoma was inoperable, percutaneous injection therapy of lipiodol and ethanol (lip-PEIT) against the primary thyroid carcinoma was performed twice a week. However, the thyroid carcinoma gradually enlarged and oppressed her trachea. Two months after the initiation of lip-PEIT, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP)-dependent hypercalcemia was diagnosed because serum levels of calcium, phosphate and intact-PTHrP were 2.72 mmol/l (10.9 mg/dl), 0.71 mmol/l (2.2 mg/dl), 3.2 pmol/l, respectively. The hypercalcemia was reduced by the use of pamidronate. After one week she died of an airway obstruction caused by the developing thyroid carcinoma. Carcinoma cells with a mixed papillary and squamoid pattern were positively stained immunohistochemically by anti-PTHrP(1-34) antisera. Herein, we report a rare autopsy case of a PTHrP-producing thyroid carcinoma.

Two cases of monostotic Paget's disease: effects of bisphosphonate.

We report two cases of monostotic Paget's disease which were effectively treated with bisphosphonate. Case 1 was a 60-year-old female. Medical examination revealed high alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels making her visit our clinic. Hematological examination showed high levels of ALP isozyme 3 and bone metabolism markers, and bone scintigraphy demonstrated strong accumulation of 99mTc on the skull. With the diagnosis of monostotic Paget's disease of the skull, treatment with bisphosphonate (etidronate) was started. The response to etidronate was good and after 12 weeks of treatment, the ALP levels decreased to about 26% of the levels before treatment, without the appearance of any symptoms or lesion development. One year and three months later, ALP increased again, and etidronate administration was resumed. However, four years after the diagnosis of the disease, etidronate became ineffective and oral administration of alendronate, a stronger bisphosphonate, was started at 5 mg/day. The patient responded favorably to the bisphosphonate and is still under observation. Case 2 was a 71-year-old female. High ALP levels were found during the follow-up of type 2 diabetes, and the case was diagnosed as monostotic Paget's disease of the pelvis based on bone metabolism markers and bone scintigraphy. Etidronate treatment at 200 mg/day resulted in the improvement of bone metabolism markers and bone scintigraphy findings. When she died of colon cancer twelve months later, with no marked progress of the Paget's disease of bone observed clinically.