Modulation of basal and squamous cell carcinoma by endogenous estrogen in mouse models of skin cancer.

Patched1 heterozygous mice (Ptch1(+/-)) are useful for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) studies, being remarkably susceptible to BCC induction by ultraviolet or ionizing radiation. Analogously, skin carcinogenesis-susceptible (Car-S) mice are elective for studies of papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) induction. We previously reported a striking effect of gender on BCC induction in Ptch1(+/-) mice, with total resistance of females; likewise, Car-S females show increased skin tumor resistance relative to males. Here, we investigated the protective role of endogenous estrogen in skin keratinocyte tumorigenesis. Control (CN) and ovariectomized Ptch1(+/-) or Car-S females were irradiated for BCC induction or topically treated with chemical carcinogens for SCC induction. Susceptibility to BCC or SCC was dramatically increased in ovariectomized Ptch1(+/-) and Car-S females and restored to levels observed in males. Remarkably, progression of initially benign papillomas to malignant SCC occurred only in ovariectomized Car-S females. We explored the mechanisms underlying tumor progression and report overexpression of estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha, downregulation of ERbeta and upregulation of cyclin D1 in papillomas from ovariectomized Car-S relative to papillomas from CN females. Thus, an imbalanced ERalpha/ERbeta expression may be associated with estrogen-mediated modulation of non-melanoma skin carcinogenesis, with a key role played by cyclin D1. Our findings underscore a highly protective role of endogenous estrogen against skin tumorigenesis by diverse agents in two independent mouse models of skin cancer.

Krill oil, vitamin D and Lactobacillus reuteri cooperate to reduce gut inflammation.

Current research into original therapies to treat intestinal inflammation is focusing on no-drug therapies. KLD is a mixture of krill oil (KO), probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (LR), and vitamin D (VitD3). The aim of this study was to assess in vitro and in vivo the potential cooperative effects of KLD in reducing gut inflammation. Colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines, CACO2 and HT29, and C57BL/6 mice were used for in vitro and in vivo analyses, respectively. Cells were exposed to cytomix (interferon gamma + tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)) to induce inflammation or co-exposed to cytomix and KO, LR and VitD3 alone or to cytomix and KLD. Animals were treated for 7 days with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) to induce colitis or with DSS and KLD. In vitro assays: F-actin expression was analysed by immunofluorescence; scratch test and trans-epithelial electric resistance test were performed to measure wound healing; adhesion/invasion assays of adhesive and invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) bacteria were made; mRNA expression of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-8 and vitamin D receptor (VDR) was detected by quantitative PCR. In vivo assays: body weight, clinical score, histological score and large intestine weight and length were estimated; mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10 by quantitative PCR; VDR expression was detected by quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. In vitro: KLD restores epithelial cell-cell adhesion and mucosal healing during inflammation, while decreases the adhesiveness and invasiveness of AIEC bacteria and TNF-α and IL-8 mRNA expression and increases VDR expression. In vivo: KLD significantly improves body weight, clinical score, histological score and large intestine length of mice with DSS-induced colitis and reduces TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 mRNA levels, while increases IL-10 mRNA and VDR levels. KLD has significant effects on the intestinal mucosa, strongly decreasing inflammation, increasing epithelial restitution and reducing pathogenicity of harmful commensal bacteria.

[Solitary perforated diverticulum of the right colon. Five cases]. / Diverticolo solitario perforato del colon destro. Esperienza di cinque casi.

Solitary perforated diverticulum of the right colon is a very uncommon acute disease in emergency surgery, and usually a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis is performed. Five cases of solitary perforated diverticulum of the right colon are presented. Preoperative diagnostic difficulties as well as surgical procedures are discussed.

Two new potent neurotransmitter release enhancers, 10,10-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone and 10,10-bis(2-fluoro-4-pyridinylmethyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone: comparison to linopirdine.

Linopirdine (3,3-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one, DUP996) is an extensively studied representative of a class of cognition enhancing compounds that increase the evoked release of neurotransmitters. Recent studies suggest that these agents act through the blockade of specific K+ channels. We have recently identified more potent anthracenone analogs of linopirdine: 10,10-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone (XE991) and 10,10-bis(2-fluoro-4-pyridinylmethyl)-9(10H)-anthracenone (DMP 543). Although linopirdine possesses an EC50 of 4.2 microM for enhancement of [3H]ACh release from rat brain slices, XE991 and DMP 543 have EC50S of 490 and 700 nM, respectively. In addition to greater in vitro potency relative to linopirdine, both compounds show greater in vivo potency and duration of action. Although 5 mg/kg (p.o.) linopirdine does not lead to statistically significant increases in hippocampal extracellular acetylcholine levels, 5 mg/kg (p.o.) XE991 leads to increases (maximal effect > 90% over baseline) which are sustained for 60 min. Moreover, DMP 543 at 1 mg/kg causes more than a 100% increase in acetylcholine levels with the effect lasting more than 3 hr. At doses relevant to their release-enhancing properties, the only overt symptom consistently observed was tremor, possible via a cholinergic mechanism. These results suggest that XE991 and DMP 543 may prove to be superior to linopirdine as Alzheimer's disease therapeutics. In addition, these agents should be useful pharmacological tools for probing the importance of particular ion channels in the control of neurotransmitter release.