Association of tyrosine hydroxylase expression in brain and tumor with increased tumor growth in sympathectomized mice.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphocytes express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. This suggests a broader role for cathecholamines in lymphocyte function, as well as the potential secretion of catecholamines by tumors of lymphoid origin. Our aim was to evaluate the expression of Th by murine lymphoma cells in an in vivo mouse model. For this, L5178Y-R lymphoma cells were implanted in nerve-intact and sympathectomized male BALB/c mice. Relative Th gene expression in tumor and brain was determined by quantitative PCR. Body composition, tumor volume, and plasma TH1/TH2/TH17 cytokines were also evaluated as markers of tumor-host condition and anti-tumor immune response in absence of adrenergic innervation. RESULTS: We found a significant (p = 0.045) 3.3-fold decrease of Th gene expression in tumor and a non-significant (p = 0.60) 6.9-fold increase in brain after sympathectomy. Sympathectomized mice also showed a significant increase in tumor mass at days 18 (p = 0.032) and 28 (p = 0.022) and increased interscapular fat (p = 0.04). TH1/TH2 and TH17 cytokines levels in plasma from sympathectomized tumor-bearing mice were not different from control mice. CONCLUSION: The L5178Y-R lymphoma does not express Th during in vivo progression.

[Pancreatic resections at general hospitals in Torreon, Coahuila]. / Resecciones pancreáticas en hospitales generales de Torreón, Coahuila.

A retrospective study of nine patients with pancreato-biliary neoplasias were operated in several general hospitals in Torreon, Mexico. Six had pancreatic adenocarcinoma, two ampullary carcinoma and one with common bile duct benign adenoma. We had a morbidity of 55% (5/9); three cases with pancreatic fistula (resolved with nutritional support and general measures) two had obstruction of gastricyeyuno anastomosis (one required surgical management). One patient (11%) died of massive pulmonary embolism. We have now the possibility to perform an earlier diagnosis with update invasive and non invasive diagnostic studies such ERCP, computed tomography and angiography. We are proud to have in our hospitals, intensive care units and well trained surgeons that allow us to perform such kind of specialized surgery.