Expression of Cdx-2 Homeobox Gene in Intestinal Metaplasia and Gastric Adenocarcinoma / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The Cdx-1 and Cdx-2 genes are intestinal transcription factors that may be involved in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells. The Cdx-1 and Cdx-2 are expressed in the epithelium of the small intestine and colon but not in the normal epithelium of the esophagus and stomach. Conversely, aberrant Cdx-2 expression is often observed in the esophagus and stomach. We investigated the expression and role of Cdx-2 in intestinal metaplasia and gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The gastric tissues obtained endoscopically were analyzed by the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and histology. The Cdx-1 and Cdx-2 mRNA expression was confirmed and analyzed according to updated Sydney classification. Then, immunohistochemical study with monoclonal anti-Cdx-2 antibody was performed with gastric adenocarcinoma obtained by surgical resection. RESULTS: The prevalence of Cdx-1 and Cdx-2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in mucosa with intestinal metaplasia than mucosa without intestinal metaplasia. In immunohistochemical study, nuclear staining of Cdx-2 was strong in metaplastic mucosa, but weak in adjacent normal gastric mucosa (p<0.001). The expression of Cdx-2 in gastric adenocarcinoma was lower than in metaplastic mucosa (p<0.001). The Cdx-2 expression was also detected in 97% of intestinal type gastric adenocarcinoma and 61.5% of diffuse type gastric adenocarcinoma (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant expression of Cdx-2 is observed in intestinal metaplasia and a subset of gastric adenocarcinoma, which is predominant in intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. Therefore, Cdx-2 may play an important role in gastric carcinogenesis, especially in intestinal type adenocarcinoma.

Angiogenesis in the Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Angiogenesis is a necessary process for solid tumor to grow in human body, and thought to play an important role in metastasis. In some solid tumor such as the breast cancer and prostatic cancer, the angiogenesis is thought to be one of the most significant prognostic factors that predict the patient survival rate and metastasis. The purpose of this study is to define the significance of angiogenesis in the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We measured the microvascular density (MVD) using immunohistochemistry with anti-CD34 antibody in 40 HNSCC. The maximal and average MVD was compared with the clinical parameters such as stage, cervical lymph node metastasis, recurrence, and survival rate, obtained through the retrospective review of the medical records. RESULTS: 1) The maximal and average MVD correlated with overall stage, T stage and N stage statistically. The MVD were increased according to the increasement of the T and N stage. 2) The maximal and average MVD showed a significant relationship with 3 year survival rate. 3) There were no relationship between maximal and average MVD and local or regional recurrence. CONCLUSION: The maximal and average MVD may be a significant prognostic factors which can predict the survival rate of the patients with HNSCC.

Effects of Growth Hormone on Steroid-induced Musculoskeletal Changes of Rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of growth hormone in reversing glucocorticoid-induced musculoskeletal changes including osteoporosis and myopathy in rats. METHOD: Experimental rats were divided into five groups and each group was composed of 10 rats. The group 1 was administered with saline, group 2 with growth hormone, group 3 with glucocorticoid, group 4 with combined dosages of growth hormone and glucocorticoid, and group 5 with glucocorticoid for 4 weeks and then growth hormone for another 4 weeks. All injections were carried out every other day for 8 weeks. The half of animals were sacrificed after 4 weeks and another half after 8 weeks in each group. The triceps surae muscle was biopsied and examined histologically for the evaluation of mean area of muscle fiber. The femur was removed and dissected for the measurement of its weight, length, and diameter. The bone mineral density of the femur was measured by a dual energy X-ray absorptiometer. RESULTS: Administration of growth hormone partially reversed the complications of steroid such as decrease in body weight, decrease in weight, length, diameter, and bone mineral density of femur, and decrease in mean area of muscle fiber. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that growth hormone could be applied for the management of steroid-induced osteoporosis and myopathy.

The Effect of Growth Hormone on Bone Mineral Density of the Corticosteroid-Induced Osteoporosis in Rat

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of growth hormone on bone mineral density of corticosteoid-induced osteoporosis in male rat. METHOD: Twenty Sprague-Dwaley male rats was studied, divided into four group, each group has 5 rats. The group 1 was treated with saline. The group 2 was treated with corticosteroid (Methylprednisolone 10 mg/kg). The group 3 was treated with corticosteroid and growth hormone (recombinant human growth hormone 0.5 IU/kg). The group 4 was treated with growth hormone after corticosteroid treatment. The treatment duration was 6 weeks for each group. After six weeks of hormone administration, the animals were sacrificed, the bilateral femur were removed and tested for bone mineral density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and examined histomorphometrically. RESULTS: Administration of growth hormone after corticosteroid therapy, the growth hormone could reverse the decrease in body weight and bone mineral density induced by corticosteroid therapy (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: When growth hormone is administrated after corticosteroid therapy, the growth hormone can protect the osteoporosis in male rats induced by a high dose of corticosteroid.