Estrogens control inflammation in experimental colitis.

There is now a wealth of experimental evidence indicating that the deficit in endogenous estrogen facilitates the onset of inflammation that can be antagonized by estrogen replacement therapy. This work investigated the role of estrogen in the control of intestinal inflammation in a panel of colitis models, focusing on the morphological changes, the activity of mast cells, the expression of cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha), fibronectin and reactive oxygen species. Two hundred adult male rats were divided into 4 groups: colitis was induced in Group I and Group II but only the latter was treated with estrogen; Group III received estrogen only, and Group IV saline. Colitis was induced in 4 models using: iodoacetamide; iodoacetamide + enteropathogenic E. coli; 2, 4, 6-Trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid; and dextran sulfate sodium salt. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of abdominal structures as well as molecular analysis were made on days 7, 14, 28 and 56. There was a significant improvement in the health condition of the estrogen-treated rats: the inflammation scores were reduced by at least 10-15%, the number of mast cells in the colon decreased by 30%, fibronectin expression was only 50% and reactive oxygen species decreased by 30%. In addition, there was a significant decrease in TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1beta expression by about 25%. In conclusion, there was an improvement in the inflammatory status in all estrogen-treated groups through the duration of the experiment at all-time points. In addition, there was less tissue necrosis as depicted by less fibronectin and a marked antioxidant effect.

Second colon cancer following Hodgkin's disease. A case report.

We report the case of a 36-year-old male patient who was treated with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease in 1972, and developed a colon cancer 18 years later. Development of second malignancy in Hodgkin's disease patients and its relationship with treatment modality are discussed.

[Gastric leiomyoblastoma, 2 case reports with a selective literature review]. / Leiomyoblastome gastrique, à propos de deux observations avec revue sélective de la littérature.

The gastric Leiomyoblastoma is a smooth muscle described in 1960 by Martin and in 1962 by Stout. These rare tumors are generally benign but may have a sarcomatous evolution in 11% of cases. They are characterized by the presence of large round or polygonal cells. Thin filaments are visible on electronic microscopy. Treatment of choice is the surgical resection.