Sasa borealis extract exerts an antidiabetic effect via activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase

Leaf of Sasa borealis, a species of bamboo, has been reported to exhibit anti-hyperglycemic effect. However, its antidiabetic mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, we examined whether an extract of S. borealis activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and exerts anti-hyperglycemic effects. Treatment with the S. borealis extract increased insulin signaling and phosphorylation of AMPK and stimulated the expression of its downstream targets, including PPARalpha, ACO, and CPT-1 in C2C12 cells and PPARalpha in HepG2 cells. However, inhibition of AMPK activation attenuated insulin signaling and prevented the stimulation of AMPK target genes. The S. borealis extract increased glucose uptake in C2C12 cells and suppressed expression of the gluconeogenic gene, PEPCK in HepG2 cells. The extract significantly reduced blood glucose and triglyceride levels in STZ-induced diabetic mice. The extract enhanced AMPK phosphorylation and increased Glut-4 expression in the skeletal muscle of the mice. These findings demonstrated that the S. borealis extract exerts its anti-hyperglycemic effect through activation of AMPK and enhancement of insulin signaling.

Prognostic Value of Body Mass Index in Korean Patients with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: We investigated the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the prognosis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in patients who received docetaxel treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 55 patients who were diagnosed with CRPC and received docetaxel treatment between 2003 and 2009 at our institution. Patients with a normal or lower BMI ( or =23.0 kg/m2) were categorized as group II. Clinicopathological features and survival rates were evaluated by using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: On the basis of BMI, 27 patients (49.1%) belonged to group I and 28 (50.9%) patients belonged to group II. Mean follow-up periods were 30 months and 34.2 months, respectively (p=0.381). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, hemoglobin level, alkaline phosphatase level, distant metastasis, radiation treatments, or performance of radical prostatectomy (p>0.05). In the univariate analysis for predicting survival rates, BMI (p=0.005; hazard ratio [HR], 0.121), logPSA (p=0.044; HR, 2.878), and alkaline phosphatase level (p=0.039; HR, 8.582) were significant factors for prediction. In the multivariate analysis, BMI (p=0.005; HR, 0.55), logPSA (p=0.008; HR, 7.836), Gleason score (p=0.018; HR, 6.434), hemoglobin (p=0.006; HR, 0.096), alkaline phosphatase level (p=0.005; HR, 114.1), and metastasis to the internal organs (p=0.028; HR, 5.195) were significant factors for prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Better effects on the cancer-specific survival rate were observed in cases with higher BMI.

Prognostic Value of Body Mass Index in Korean Patients with Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: We investigated the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the prognosis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in patients who received docetaxel treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of 55 patients who were diagnosed with CRPC and received docetaxel treatment between 2003 and 2009 at our institution. Patients with a normal or lower BMI ( or =23.0 kg/m2) were categorized as group II. Clinicopathological features and survival rates were evaluated by using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: On the basis of BMI, 27 patients (49.1%) belonged to group I and 28 (50.9%) patients belonged to group II. Mean follow-up periods were 30 months and 34.2 months, respectively (p=0.381). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason score, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, hemoglobin level, alkaline phosphatase level, distant metastasis, radiation treatments, or performance of radical prostatectomy (p>0.05). In the univariate analysis for predicting survival rates, BMI (p=0.005; hazard ratio [HR], 0.121), logPSA (p=0.044; HR, 2.878), and alkaline phosphatase level (p=0.039; HR, 8.582) were significant factors for prediction. In the multivariate analysis, BMI (p=0.005; HR, 0.55), logPSA (p=0.008; HR, 7.836), Gleason score (p=0.018; HR, 6.434), hemoglobin (p=0.006; HR, 0.096), alkaline phosphatase level (p=0.005; HR, 114.1), and metastasis to the internal organs (p=0.028; HR, 5.195) were significant factors for prediction. CONCLUSIONS: Better effects on the cancer-specific survival rate were observed in cases with higher BMI.

Vascular Injury Following Tension-Free Vaginal Tape in Stress Incontinence

Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) has been accepted for a therapeutic modality of stress incontinence and presented as easy, safe, effective, and time-saving procedure with cure rate of more than 86% and another 11% significantly improved with no serious complication. However, there is not always safe without severe complications, because the TVT needle has to pass blindly through the pelvic cavity. Furthermore, it may be very serious once it happened. We, herein, present a case who bled to shock following TVT procedure but was controlled conservatively, and review its complications in the literatures.