Naltrexone influences protein kinase C epsilon and integrin alpha7 activity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Alcohol influences the neuroadaptation of brain cells where receptors and enzymes like protein kinase C (PKC) exist. Naltrexone acts on opioid receptors. However, other mechanisms of action remain unknown. We prepared SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, and fed them with 150 mM ethanol for 72 h followed by treatment with naltrexone for 24 h. We performed microarray analysis and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that PKC epsilon increased 1.90 times and showed an overall decreasing pattern as time increased. Phosphorylated ERK also increased 2.0 times according to the change of PKC epsilon. Integrin alpha7 increased 2.32 times and showed an increasing pattern as time increased. In conclusion, naltrexone influences PKC epsilon neuronal signaling system and endothelial adhesion molecule integrin alpha7 in addition to the well-known opioid system.

Hairy cell leukemia-variant--a case report.

Hairy-cell leukemia-variant (HCL-V) is a rare B-cell disorder which accountsfor 10% of HCL cases. The main features are splenomegaly, lymphocytosis and cytopenias without monocytopenia. The circulating cells have a morphology intermediate between prolymphocytes and hairy cells. The immunophenotype shows a mature B-cell phenotype with expression of B-cell antigens CD11c and CD103 but unlike typical hairy cell the cells are negative for CD25. The histology of bone marrow and spleen shows a pattern of infiltration similar to that in HCL. We present a case of HCL-V in a 66-year-old male. The bone marrow findings, immunophenotypic profile and electron microscopic features are described. The patient underwent splenectomy which also revealed infiltration by leukemia. Patients are resistant to alkylating agents and alpha-interferon (á-IFN). Splenectomy may be beneficial for long-lasting partial responses in some of the patients and is a good palliative treatment.