Increased total scavenger capacity and decreased liver fat content in rats fed dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate on a high-fat diet.

BACKGROUND: Weak androgens have an antioxidant effect in vitro which is represented as a beneficial change in the antioxidant status. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to clarify whether dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) oral administration results in beneficial antioxidant changes in Sprague-Dawley adult male rats in vivo. METHODS: Groups of experimental animals were fed a high-fat or a normal-fat diet and treated with DHEA or DHEAS in the drinking fluid. The control group was fed a high-fat diet together with untreated drinking fluid. Total scavenger capacity (TSC) was measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in blood samples using a chemiluminometric assay. Fat content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the liver were determined by Sudan staining and spectrophotometric assessments, respectively, from the fresh frozen tissue. RESULTS: DHEA and the DHEAS treatment showed significantly increased TSC in the groups fed a high-fat diet. The control group and the DHEA- or DHEAS-treated groups on normal diets showed no significant changes in TSC. The total score of liver fat content in the high-fat diet groups showed a marked positivity with Sudan staining, and the groups treated with DHEA or DHEAS had a markedly decreased amount of fat in the liver slides compared to the untreated group on the high-fat diet. Liver SOD activity was decreased in all high-fat diet groups and elevated only in the groups on a normal diet with DHEA or DHEAS treatment. Liver catalase and GST activities were decreased in the groups where TSC was significantly increased. CONCLUSION: Our results support the hypothesis that DHEA and DHEAS supplementation can improve the antioxidant status in lipid-rich dietary habits.

Failure of oral E. coli O83 lipopolysaccharide to influence intestinal morphology and cell proliferation in rats: short communication.

It is known that bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in significant quantities. However, the question remained whether oral LPS modified the structure or function of the gut. In the present experiment Escherichia coli 083 LPS was administered to growing rats in repeated oral doses of 400 mg/kg body weight (b. w.), every 8 h. After three days of treatment, morphometric and histochemical examinations of the small intestine did not show significant differences between treated and control rats. It is concluded that repeated oral administration of high doses of E. coli 083 LPS had no demonstrable effect on intestinal structure and cell proliferation in a rat model.

Cushing's syndrome in a child with pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma.

A case of pancreatic acinar cell tumor (ACC) is presented in a 10-year-old boy. The tumor manifested clinically with Cushing's syndrome, high serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol concentrations. In addition, excessive serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected. Surgical resection was not possible due to retroperitoneal invasion. Biopsy of the mass showed a solid, poorly differentiated ACC of the pancreas. Periodic acid Schiff positive cytoplasmic granules, trypsinogen, keratins, alpha-1-antitrypsin, and AFP were identified in the tumor cells. Electron microscopy demonstrated zymogen granules as well as isolated dense core granules. Using immunochemiluminometric assay, a high quantity of ACTH was found in the fresh frozen tumor extract. ACTH, chromogranin A, and corticotropin-releasing factor were identified only in a few cells by immunohistochemistry. Combined radiochemotherapy was temporarily effective in reducing the tumor mass and serum AFP. Serum ACTH and cortisol levels dropped progressively and definitively to normal values after chemotherapy, and the Cushing's syndrome subsided. Two years later, the patient died with metastatic disease. The presented case of ACC is interesting due to high serum AFP values and ectopic ACTH secretion resulting in Cushing's syndrome.

[Chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction due to visceral myopathy]. / Viscerális myopathia következtében kialakult chronicus intestinalis pseudoobstructio.

A case is reported of a chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction with lethal outcome in a 6-year-old boy. The clinical symptoms and radiology examination showed ileus without mechanical obstruction. During the observation the patient developed left sided mydriasis and grand mal seizures with lactacidosis. He was treated conservatively which included total parenteral nutrition, fluid-sodium supplements, intravenous erythromycin and somatostatin, correction of acidosis. On the 48th day he died suddenly of cardiac failure at the intensive care unit. The gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms with lactacidosis suggested the possibility of mitochondrial myopathy. Postmortem histopathology showed visceral myopathy. Molecular genetic analysis could not confirm the presence of the mDNA mutation.

Composite Blastoid Variant of Mantle Cell Lymphoma and Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Composite lymphoma (CL) describes the rare occurrence of 2 or more distinct types of lymphoma in a single anatomical location. We present the case of a 78-year-old man presenting with a 3-month history of weakness, malaise, and increasing dyspnea. A lymph node excised from the posterior triangle of the neck revealed the coexistence of 2 morphologically and phenotypically distinct lymphoid neoplasms consistent with a blastoid variant of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) occurring in composite with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), mixed cellularity subtype. A t(11;14)(q13;q32) translocation was demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization in the MCL and Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg cells of the cHL. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction detected clonal Immunoglobulin heavy chain (VFR1-J, VFR2-J, and VFR3-J), clonal immunoglobulin light chain kappa (V-J and V/JC intron-kde) and clonal immunoglobulin light chain lambda (V-J) gene rearrangements in the MCL. This report represents the first case of a blastoid variant of MCL occurring in composite with cHL.

Effect of inhibitors of myeloperoxidase on the development of aortic atherosclerosis in an animal model.

Our earlier studies have shown that some steroids increase myeloperoxidase enzyme (MPO) release from human granulocytes, and that MPO plasma levels are significantly lower in postclimacteric people. Moreover, we have proven that MPO inhibits production of atherogenic free radical superoxide anion and MPO-inhibitors increase superoxide release. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of MPO-inhibitors on the early phase of aortic atherosclerosis, namely the extent of intimal plaques and the thickening of the medial layer. Adult male rabbits were fed with lipid rich food (cholesterol: 1.3%, peanut oil: 8%) for 8 weeks. During this period MPO-inhibitors were also given (4-aminobenzoicacid-hydrazide/ABAH/-13.3 mg/kg/day or indometacin-5 mg/kg/day). All animals developed intimal lipid plaques (raised fatty streaks). The relative plaque-covered areas of the aortas were compared and the media thickness of the aorta was measured on plaque-free as well as plaque-containing areas. The medial smooth muscle density and peroxidase activity of the aortic media were also determined. The media thickness increased (p<0.05) in the cholesterol+ABAH as well as in the cholesterol+indometacin groups up to 375.7 (+/-60.5) and 442.5 (+/-123.4) microm, respectively, compared to the control group (cholesterol feeding alone) where it measured only 308.4 (+/-51.67) microm. The medial peroxidase activity decreased significantly in the indometacin treated group and showed a decreasing tendency using ABAH. In parallel to this there was a tendency of increase in the relative plaque covered areas. The smooth muscle density showed no significant modifications, while inhibitors of the MPO seemed to enhance aortic medial thickness, i.e. the grade of a pre-atherosclerotic lesion, in our animal model. Collectively, the anti-atherogenic effect of certain steroid hormones might be realized through the impact on MPO activity.

[Gastrointestinal stromal tumor metastasized to the ovary]. / Ovariumáttétet adó gastrointestinalis stromalis tumor.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, is originated from the interstitial cells of Cajal. As a sign of malignancy, intestinal tumors particularly tend to metastasize, primarily in the abdominal cavity and in the liver. The authors present a gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the intestine, which metastasized to the ovary. The tumor presented as a pelvic mass, mimicking an ovarian neoplasm. In the case of clinically simultaneous tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and of the ovary, one has to consider the possibility of a primary gastrointestinal tumor and first of all a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The histological diagnosis is essential because of the tumor-specific chemotherapeutical opportunity of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

[Femoral press-fit fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: postoperative histological examination of bone block incorporation in pigs]. / Femoralis press-fit rögzítés elülso keresztszalag pótlás során. A csontblokk beépülésének posztoperatív szövettani vizsgálata sertéseken.

INTRODUCTION: The histological properties of the femoral press-fit fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have not been extensively examined. The purpose of the study was to analyse the histological properties of the bone-patellar tendon graft in the bone tunnel area during the early stages of healing in an animal model. Furthermore the authors wanted to draw conclusions for the postoperative rehabilitation program on the basis of their data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ACL reconstruction was performed in pigs using femoral press-fit fixation. After 3 and 6 weeks the incorporation of the bone block in the femur in 2 pigs was histological and radiological evaluated. RESULTS: After 3 and 6 weeks the examination showed almost similar histology on the bony side the grafts except (1) a higher amount of fibrotic tissue in-between the lamellae of the inserted patellar bone after 6 weeks, (2) the presence of direct osseous unions between the two lamellar systems and (3) thicker lamellae at the base than toward the condylar tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Concerning the progression of graft healing by histological findings our study showed, that after 6 weeks the femoral press-fit fixation appear to have good incorporation after ACL reconstruction.

Altered structure and distensibility of arteries in salt-fed rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Habitual high-sodium diet may cause stiffening of arteries. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of physiologically relevant high-sodium diet on the structure and distensibility of arteries in rats. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 2% NaCl diet for 3 or 6 months; rats fed 0.7% NaCl diet were controls. Pressure-volume (distensibility) relationships were measured in the presence and absence of calcium in excised, in-vitro perfused segments of right carotid artery and of second order mesenteric arteries. The left carotid artery and the remaining mesenteric arteries of rats were perfused in situ with papaverine followed by fixative at 100 mmHg, and then embedded in epoxy for morphometric measurements. RESULTS: The tail systolic blood pressure (SBP), and in subgroups of rats, the directly measured mean arterial pressure (MAP), of salt-fed rats at 3 and 6 months were unchanged. At 3 months, there was dilatation (increased lumen area) of both carotid and mesenteric arteries of salt-fed rats, without a change in distensibility. At 6 months, the lumen area of carotid arteries of salt-fed rats returned to control value (inward remodeling), and carotid artery distensibility remained unchanged. At 6 months, there was further dilatation (P <0.01) and reduced distensibility (P =0.01) of mesenteric arteries in salt-fed rats. CONCLUSIONS: A three-fold increase in dietary sodium intake leads to dilatation of arteries in normotensive rats. When there is compensatory remodeling, the distensibility of arteries remains unchanged; when compensation is lacking, unopposed dilatation is associated with reduced distensibility.

Development of structural vascular changes in salt-fed rats.

The hypothesis that long-term administration of a physiologically relevant high salt diet to rats leads to the development of structural vascular changes that predispose to hypertension was tested. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 2% NaCl diet for 3 or 6 months; rats fed 0.7% NaCl diet were controls. Then, the systemic circulation of the rats was perfusion-fixed at 100 mm Hg. The junction of the mesentery and small intestine, the renal cortex, and segments of left carotid artery, thoracic aorta, and second order mesenteric arteries were embedded in paraffin or epoxy for morphometric measurements. The average monthly tail systolic blood pressure (BP) of salt-fed rats at 3 and 6 months were unchanged. The following morphometric changes in salt-fed rats were observed: 1) dilatation of the carotid artery at 3 months (P <.05); 2) dilatation and reduced wall-to-lumen ratio of the second order mesenteric artery (P <.01); 3) increased wall-to-lumen ratio of small mesenteric resistance arteries (P <.01); 4) reduced wall-to-lumen ratio of renal cortical resistance arteries at 6 months (P <. 05); and 5) unchanged structure of aorta. The long-term administration of a high salt diet leads to structural vascular changes in normotensive rats. There are important regional and segmental variations in the long-term adaptation of arteries to a high salt diet.

Secretin and autism: a basic morphological study about the distribution of secretin in the nervous system.

For the first time, the relationship between secretin and autism has been demonstrated by one of us. Intravenous administration of secretin in autistic children caused a fivefold higher pancreaticobiliary fluid secretion than in healthy ones and, at least in some of the patients, better mental functions were reported after the secretin test. Because the precise localization of secretin in the brain is still not completely known, the abovementioned observation led us to map secretin immunoreactivity in the nervous system of several mammalian species. In the present work, the distribution of secretin immunoreactivity in cat and human nervous systems was compared with that of rats using an immunohistochemical approach. Secretin immunoreactivity was observed in the following brain structures of both humans and in colchicine-treated rats: (1) Purkinje cells in the cerebellar cortex; (2) central cerebellar nuclei; (3) pyramidal cells in the motor cortex; and (4) primary sensory neurons. Additionally, secretin immnoreactive cells were observed in the human hippocampus and amygdala and in third-order sensory neurons of the rat auditory system. In cats, secretin was only observed in the spinal ganglia. Our findings support the view that secretin is not only a gastrointestinal peptide but that it is also a neuropeptide. Its presence or the lack of its presence may have a role in the development of behavioral disorders.

Early atherosclerosis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in the coronary arteries.

In non-atheromatous segments of coronary arteries a sequence of preatherosclerotic changes was identified which consisted of medial thickening followed by intimal thickening. More recently, Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity was associated with enhanced intima-media thickness of arteries. In the present study the intimal and medial thickness of coronary artery of young adults were measured, and were correlated with the presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae antigens. Proximal and distal segments of the left anterior descending coronaries (LAD) obtained at autopsy from young adults (15-34 years) were studied. The thickness and cellular density of the intima and of the media without clear-cut atherosclerotic changes were measured by image analysis. The hypertrophy index was calculated as the ratio of cell density and the thickness of the respective layer. Atherosclerotic lesions occurring elsewhere in the same coronary were noted and graded by severity. The presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae verified by immunohistochemistry was correlated with the severity of lesions and with the hypertrophy index. In the proximal segments, atherosclerosis of LAD was associated with the widening of both the intima and the media of lesion free-sites. In the distal coronary segments the proportion of the intimal thickening had a significant association with atherosclerosis. Compared to non-infected arteries, Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was associated with higher hypertrophy index in the intima as well as in the media. The rate of Chlamydia pneumoniae positivity increased with the severity of lesions. As a conclusion: in the LAD coronary, the intimal thickening is the main preatherosclerotic change. Chlamydia pneumoniae may favour arterial wall hypertrophy and plays a role in lesion progression.

Rising plasma nociceptin level during development of HCC: a case report.

AIM: Although liver cirrhosis is a predisposing factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), relatively few reports are available on HCC in primary biliary cirrhosis. High plasma nociceptin (N/OFQ) level has been shown in Wilson disease and in patients with acute and chronic pain. METHODS: We report a follow-up case of HCC, which developed in a patient with primary biliary cirrhosis. The tumor appeared 18 years after the diagnosis of PBC and led to death within two years. Alfa fetoprotein and serum nociceptin levels were monitored before and during the development of HCC. Nociceptin content was also measured in the tumor tissue. RESULTS: The importance and the curiosity of the presented case was the novel finding of the progressive elevation of plasma nociceptin level up to 17-fold (172 pg/mL) above the baseline (9.2+/-1.8 pg/mL), parallel with the elevation of alpha fetoprotein (from 13 ng/mL up to 3 480 ng/mL) during tumor development. Nociceptin content was more than 15-fold higher in the neoplastic tissue (0.16 pg/mg) than that in the tumor-free liver tissue samples (0.01 pg/mg) taken during the autopsy. CONCLUSION: Results are in concordance with our previous observation that a very high plasma nociceptin level may be considered as an indicator for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Chlamydia pneumoniae in different coronary artery segments in the young.

UNLABELLED: Chlamydia pneumoniae has emerged as the most likely pathogen to have a causative role in the development and/or for progression of atherosclerosis. Evidence for this is based on epidemiological and pathological studies. In an effort to better understand the significance of finding C. pneumoniae in atheromata, we examined coronary artery segments of young adults (15-34 years) with and without atherosclerosis. Left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD) of 74 young adults who died suddenly were examined histologically and for the presence of C. pneumoniae by immunohistochemistry. C. pneumoniae was identified in advanced lesions (Stary types III to VI) in 17 of 32 cases (53%), and in early lesions (Stary type I-II) in 8 of 37 cases (21%), mainly at the proximal segments of the LAD. C. pneumoniae was not found in the intimal and medial layer of normal-appearing coronary arteries. C. pneumoniae was detected in the adventitia in 51 (67%) coronary arteries: in 27 of normal arteries and early lesions (64%), and in 24 of atherosclerotic lesions (75%). C. pneumoniae was found most often in macrophages, less offen in smooth muscle cells. We also observed a correlation between C. pneumoniae positivity and cigarette smoking. IN CONCLUSION: C. pneumoniae may relate to the severity of atherosclerosis in young people, and it may thus initiate atherosclerotic injury or facilitate its progression with other risk factors.

[Role of minimally invasive interventions in the treatment of complications caused by recidive Klatskin tumors]. / Minimálisan invazív beavatkozások szerepe a recidív Klatskin-tumorok szövódményeinek ellátásában.

BACKGROUND: The hilar cholangiocarcinoma grows slowly and gives metastases very rarely. The first prominent sign of this cancer is the jaundice. In spite of the small size of the tumour, oncologically radical resection is only feasible--owing to the anatomical position--in approximately 35-50% of the cases. This makes recidivity frequent. The recidive cancer involves the hilus of the liver, compresses the surrounding organs and develops different complications. METHODS: 37 patients underwent surgical resection in the 1st Surgical Department of Semmelweis University in the last ten years. Complete tumour-free surgical margins were found in only 48.6% of the cases. The mean follow-up was 23.2 (8-47) months. RESULTS: 9 patients were treated for complication caused by local recurrence. These were mechanical jaundice (9 cases), bleeding oesophageal varices (2 cases), gastric outlet obstruction (2 cases), liver abscess (3 cases) and pain caused by the infiltration of the coeliac ganglion (3 cases). Most part of the complication could be solved by minimal invasive therapy (percutane transhepatic endoprosthesis or drainage, endoscopic sclerotherapy, ultrasound-guided drainage, percutane blockade of the celiac ganglion). CONCLUSIONS: The fact that resected patients may survive several years as long as patients treated with endoprosthesis and irradiation only survive half a year, has brought a change in the way Klatskin cancer surgery is considered: resection of the tumour should be striven for--even by way of R1 resection. Therefore the risk of recurrence will increase. This is the first article in the literature, which has ever dealt with the complication caused by recidive cancer after resection of Klatskin tumour.

[Malignant rhabdoid tumour in the liver]. / Malignus rhabdoid tumor a májban.

The authors describe the case of a 6-months-old child with liver tumour. The newborn was healthy until 6 months of age. Prior to hospitalization meteorism and remarkably enlarged liver were observed. A tumour occupying the right lobe of the liver was found with ultrasound and computer tomography, which proved to be inoperable. Intraoperative liver biopsy and few days later the autopsy histology showed a malignant rhabdoid tumour. Authors describe the clinical and morphological features of a rare case of primary hepatic rhabdoid tumour.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast like giant cells and long standing systemic symptoms.

INTRODUCTION: The leiomyomatous type of uterine sarcoma with osteoclast-type giant cell component is a rare variant of uterine tumors with poor prognosis. The histological diagnosis of these rare tumors can be problematic and only five such tumors have been published previously. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old woman presented with fever and weight loss for 7 months and laboratory findings suggestive of inflammation. After extensive clinical investigation, a uterine tumor was found, which was considered to be an incidental finding and was thought to be unlikely to explain the symptoms. After hysterectomy, the patient had a surprising and quick recovery with the complete relief of systemic symptoms and normalization of laboratory changes. The tumor was a dedifferentiated leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast-like giant cells and contained extensive necrosis. The patient continues to do well and is tumor-free 1 year after the operation. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of a patient being alive and disease-free 12 months after surgery with a dedifferentiated uterine leiomyosarcoma with osteoclast-like giant cells.

Claudin-4 differentiates biliary tract cancers from hepatocellular carcinomas.

The recently identified claudins are dominant components of tight junctions, responsible for cell adhesion, polarity and paracellular permeability. Certain claudins have been shown to have relevance in tumor development, with some of them, especially claudin-4, even suggested as future therapeutic target. The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of claudin-4 in the biliary tree, biliary tract cancers and hepatocellular carcinomas. A total of 107 cases were studied: 53 biliary tract cancers, 50 hepatocellular carcinomas, 10 normal liver and 10 normal extrahepatic biliary duct samples. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on conventional specimens and on tissue microarrays as well. Claudin-4 was further investigated by Western blot analysis and real-time RT-PCR. Intense membranous immunolabeling was found for claudin-4 in all biliary tract cancers unrelated to the primary site of origin, namely intrahepatic, extrahepatic or gallbladder cancers. Normal biliary epithelium showed weak positivity for claudin-4. In contrast, normal hepatocytes and tumor cells of hepatocellular carcinomas did not express claudin-4. The results of Western immunoblot analysis and real-time RT-PCR were in correlation with the immunohistochemical findings. Cytokeratins, as CK7 (92%) and CK19 (83%) were mostly positive in biliary tract cancers, however, one-third of hepatocellular carcinomas also expressed CK7 (34%). HSA antibody (HepPar1) reacted with the majority of hepatocellular carcinomas (86%), while being positive in a low percentage of the biliary tract cancers (8%). In conclusion, this is the first report of a significantly increased claudin-4 expression in biliary tract cancers, which represents a novel feature of tumors of biliary tract origin. Claudin-4 expression seems to be a useful marker in differentiating biliary tract cancers from hepatocellular carcinomas and could well become a potential diagnostic tool.

Role of angiotensin II, sympathetic stimulation and salt in the development of structural vascular changes in rat kidney.

1. Functional and structural vasoconstriction of renal cortical arteries is the earliest change leading to hypertension. In the present study, the interaction of a subpressor dose of angiotensin (Ang) II, a 2% NaCl diet and sympathetic stimulation in the form of overnight cold exposure was investigated in the development of renal structural vascular changes in male Sprague-Dawley rats. 2. Morphometric measurements of renal cortical resistance arteries and volume density measurements of renal cortical components were performed in eight groups of rats after 12 weeks of treatment: AngII; 2% NaCl diet; cold exposure (5 degrees C); AngII plus 2% NaCl diet; AngII plus cold exposure; cold exposure plus 2% NaCl diet; ANG II plus 2% NaCl diet plus cold exposure; and sham operation and treatment (control). 3. The average weekly systolic blood pressure of AngII-treated plus salt-fed rats was increased, whereas that of cold-stressed plus salt-fed rats at room temperature decreased compared with controls. The blood pressure rise of the former group was accompanied by an increased wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) of cortical resistance arteries and decreased glomerular volume, whereas the reduction in blood pressure in the latter group was accompanied by a decreased WLR of cortical resistance arteries and increased volume density of cortical renal tubules. There were no changes in either the blood pressure or renal structure of the other groups. 4. There is a parallel relationship between changes in preglomerular structural vascular resistance and changes in blood pressure in rats. It remains to be determined whether renal cortical structural changes are the cause of, or are compensatory for, chronic changes in blood pressure.

Autoimmune pancreatitis associated with immune-mediated inflammation of the papilla of Vater: report on two cases.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is defined histologically by periductal and interacinar lymphocytic infiltration. Immunohistochemically, the majority of these lymphocytes are identified as T cells. Epithelial HLA-DR antigen expression was also described as a marker of autoimmunity in this type of chronic pancreatitis. We report 2 cases, a 56-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman, with AIP associated with immune-mediated inflammation of the main duodenal papilla (MDP). Serologically, antinuclear antibody positivity was detected in the male patient. The female patient, treated medically for ulcerative proctitis, had no serological evidence of autoimmune disease. Macroscopic papillitis was present only in the male patient, and endoscopic biopsy samples were taken from this swollen MDP. Since we could not exclude malignancy, a pancreatic head resection was performed in both patients. The histologic and immunohistochemical studies of the resected specimens showed periductal T-lymphocytic infiltration in the pancreatic and papillary tissues. Furthermore, HLA-DR-antigen expression was also demonstrated in epithelial cells of the pancreas and MDP. The immunohistological features of endoscopic biopsy samples from the swollen MDP were identical as in the surgically resected specimens. Immune-mediated inflammation of the MDP may be associated with AIP.