The protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate on lipopolysa ccharide-induced hepatotoxicity: an in vitro study on Hep3B cells.

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, our aim was to investigate the possible protective effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatotoxicity by using Hep3B human hepatoma cells. Specifically, the study examines the role of some proinflammatory markers and oxidative damage as possible mechanisms of LPS-associated cytotoxicity. Consequently, the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3B was chosen as a model for investigation of LPS toxicity and the effect of EGCG on LPS-exposed cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Hep3B human hepatoma cells were used for this study. The cytotoxic effects of chemicals (EGCG and LPS), AST and ALT levels, SOD and CAT activities, GSH-Px level and TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were detected by using different biochemical and molecular methods. LPS and EGCG were applied to cells at various times and doses. RESULTS: The highest treatment dose of EGCG (400 µM) led to a dramatic decrease in SOD level and increase in CAT and GSH levels. Additionally, the highest dose of EGCG also led to a dramatic increase in TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels. On the other hand, effective doses of EGCG (200 and 100 µM) normalized all related parameters levels. CONCLUSION: LPS caused hepatotoxicity, but interestingly, a high dose of EGCG was found to be a cytotoxic agent in this study. However, other two doses of EGCG led to a decrease in both inflammatory cytokine levels and antioxidant enzyme levels. Further studies should examine the effect of EGCG on secondary cellular signaling pathways.

Efficacy of Laser-Activated Irrigants in Calcium Hydroxide Removal from the Artificial Grooves in Root Canals: An Ex Vivo Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of an erbium chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser with different irrigation solutions [sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), QMix 2in1, and peracetic acid] in removing calcium hydroxide (CH) from artificial grooves created in root canals. BACKGROUND DATA: CH has to be removed totally before the root canal filling. Any CH residue on the dentin walls may affect the dentinal bond strength and the penetration of sealers into the dentin tubules, and may increase apical leakage. In addition, such a remnant could react chemically with sealers and, possibly, influence physical properties. Therefore, complete removal of CH placed inside the root canals is recommended, using various products and techniques. METHODS: The root canals of 160 extracted single-rooted mandibular premolars were prepared with ProTaper Universal rotary instruments up to size F4. The roots were split longitudinally along the length of the instrumented canals, and a standardized groove was prepared in the apical part of one segment. CH powder mixed with distilled water was placed into the grooves, and the root halves were then reassembled. The roots were randomly divided into two main groups according to the selected irrigation techniques (needle and laser activation) and then each main group was divided into four subgroups according to the final irrigation (NaOCl, EDTA, QMix 2in1, and peracetic acid) protocols used. After irrigation, the roots were disassembled and digital images were taken using a stereomicroscope. Measurements of residual CH were performed as percentages of the overall groove surface area with image analysis software. The data obtained were analyzed using one way analysis of variance and Tukey's honest significant difference tests. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Significantly less residual CH was obtained in the laser-activated groups than in the needle-irrigated groups (p < 0.05). According to both main groups' data, NaOCl left significantly more CH than the other groups (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference among the EDTA, QMix 2in1, and peracetic acid groups. CONCLUSIONS: None of the techniques removed the CH dressing completely. Laser-activated irrigation was significantly more effective than needle irrigation.

Ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate diagnosed on transurethral biopsy or resection is not always indicative of aggressive disease: implications for clinical management.

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinicopathological characteristics of 23 cases of ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate (DCP) and discuss the implications for clinical management, as DCP is considered an aggressive subtype of prostate adenocarcinoma (PA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The presence of DCP in transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy (TRUSB) is associated with adverse pathological findings at radical prostatectomy (RP) and clinical outcomes, and the significance of detecting DCP initially in transurethral biopsy (UB) or transurethral resection (TURP) in the present era of screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is unclear. The study included 23 cases of pure DCP without acinar PA diagnosed on UB or TURP. Demographic information, serum PSA level, follow-up surgical procedures (RP, TURP or TRUSB) and outcome data were collected. RESULTS: The mean age of the men was 67.5 years and the mean PSA level before the procedure was 12.5 ng/mL; 14 cases were detected on UB and nine were diagnosed on TURP. The mean (range) follow-up was 4 (1-23) months after the initial procedure. In all, 21 (89%) patients had DCP or PA in follow-up procedures. Two (11%) patients had no residual cancer, one on RP and the other on two repeat TURPs. DCP or PA was found in 12 RP cases; four patients had Gleason score 7 PA, three of which were organ-confined, and eight had Gleason score > or = 8 PA. Extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle invasion and regional lymph node metastasis were present in seven, six and two cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Most DCP diagnosed on UB or TURP in this contemporary series was associated with aggressive PA, but a subset presented as a small periurethral tumour with no concomitant acinar PA, and was eradicated by the initial biopsy/TURP alone. We recommend that patients with a diagnosis of DCP on UB or TURP undergo follow-up TURP and TRUSB before radical surgery is offered.

Metastatic sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma treated with vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy.

PURPOSE: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) with sarcomatoid differentiation is an aggressive disease that is associated with poor outcomes to chemotherapy or immunotherapy. The utility of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy in patients with this disease is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients who had mRCC with sarcomatoid features in the primary tumor and who were treated with VEGF-targeted therapy were retrospectively identified. Pathology slides were reviewed to determine the percentage of sarcomatoid differentiation. Objective response rate, percentage of tumor burden shrinkage, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were determined. RESULTS: Forty-three patients who had sarcomatoid mRCC were identified. The median percentage of sarcomatoid features was 14% (range, 3% to 90%). Patients were treated with either sunitinib (49%), sorafenib (28%), bevacizumab (19%), or sunitinib plus bevacizumab (5%). Partial responses were observed in eight patients (19%); 21 patients (49%) had stable disease; and 14 patients (33%) had progressive disease as their best response. Partial responses were limited to patients who had underlying clear-cell histology and less than 20% sarcomatoid elements. Median tumor shrinkage was -2% (range, -85% to 127%), and 53% achieved some degree of tumor shrinkage on therapy. Median PFS and OS were estimated to be 5.3 months and 11.8 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients who have mRCC and sarcomatoid differentiation can demonstrate objective responses and tumor shrinkage to VEGF-targeted therapy. Patients who have clear-cell histology and a lower percentage of sarcomatoid differentiation may have better outcomes with VEGF-targeted therapy.

Volume of nerve fibers in the stress-induced bladder of adult rats following capsaicin treatment.

INTRODUCTION: We have investigated the volume of nerve fibers in the rat urinary bladder following systematic exposure to cold-restraint stress and capsaicin treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult Wistar albino rats were either exposed to cold-restraint stress (vehicle group) or treated with capsaicin before exposure to cold-restraint stress (capsaicin group). In the control group, animals were neither exposed to cold-restraint stress nor given capsaicin. From each group, samples of bladder were prepared for morphological investigation and stereological evaluation of the volume of nerve fibers. RESULTS: Stress exposure was associated with urothelial degeneration, a higher incidence and degranulation of mast cell profiles in the mucosa, and an increased volume of nerve fibers in the muscular layer of the bladder wall. Capsaicin treatment prevented the stress-induced degenerative changes. In the capsaicin group, the volume of nerve fibers in the muscular layer was also significantly smaller than that in the stress group. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure of adult rats to capsaicin prevented the stress-induced degeneration of the bladder and changed the volume of capsaicin-sensitive fibers in muscular layer. We conclude that capsaicin and related compounds may be useful in treating stress-induced bladder problems.