Pyrvinium pamoate inhibits proliferation and invasion of human endometriotic stromal cells.

Endometriosis is characterized by the presence of functional endometrial tissue in other pelvic organs. This gynecologic problem occurs in 35-50% of women with pain and infertility. Endometriotic cells share some characteristics such as proliferation, migration, and invasion with tumor cells. Pyrvinium pamoate, an anthelmintic drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration, could inhibit the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and its anticancer effects were examined by several researchers. In this study, 12 ectopic and eutopic endometrial biopsies from females with ovarian endometrioma and 12 endometrial biopsies from nonendometriotic females were obtained. Ectopic (EESCs), eutopic (EuESCs), and control (CESCs) endometrial stromal cells were isolated. Then, the effect of pyrvinium pamoate on the proliferation and invasiveness of in vitro cultured cells was evaluated. The proliferation of CESCs, EuESCs, and EESCs was significantly decreased after treatment with pyrvinium pamoate. In addition, treatment with pyrvinium pamoate significantly inhibited the invasiveness of CESCs, EuESCs, and EESCs compared to nontreated groups. The results of the present research showed that pyrvinium pamoate inhibits the proliferation and invasion of human endometriotic stromal cells in vitro, further investigations on the therapeutic potential of this compound in endometriosis are required.

Occupational exposure of petroleum depot workers to BTEX compounds.

BACKGROUND: Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) are the most important toxic volatile compounds in the air and could be easily absorbed through the respiratory tract. In recent years, the risk of exposure to BTEX compounds, especially benzene as a carcinogen, has been considered in petroleum depot stations. OBJECTIVE: To assess the occupational exposure of petroleum depot workers in Iran to BTEX compounds. METHODS: After completing a questionnaire and assessing occupational exposure to BTEX compounds, 78 (46 exposed and 32 non-exposed) depot workers were randomly selected to participate in this study. Air sampling and analysis of BTEX was conducted according to the NIOSH method No. 1501. Analysis of urinary hippuric acid, as an indicator of toluene exposure, was carried out according to NIOSH method No. 8300. Personal monitoring of the high exposure group to BTEX compounds was repeated to verify the results obtained in the first phase of the monitoring. RESULTS: Among the 9 operating groups studied, occupational exposure to benzene and toluene was higher in quality control and gasoline loading operators-the median exposure ranged from 0.16 to 1.63 ppm for benzene and 0.2 to 2.72 ppm for toluene. Median exposure of other group members to BTEX compounds was below the detection limit of analytical method (0.07, 0.06, 0.05, and 0.05 ppm, respectively). The level of toluene exposure measured showed correlation with neither post-shift urinary hippuric acid (Spearman's rho = 0.128, p = 0.982) nor with the difference between post- and pre-shift urinary hippuric acid (Spearman's rho = 0.089, p = 0.847) in depot operational workers. CONCLUSION: Gasoline loading operators are exposed to a relatively high level of benzene.

Cyclic pamidronate therapy in children with osteogenesis imperfecta.

BACKGROUND: Severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a disorder characterized by osteopenia, frequent fractures, progressive deformity, loss of mobility, and chronic bone pain. There has been no effective therapy for the disorder until recently. The main objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of pamidronate in improving bone mineralization and reducing fracture incidence in osteogenesis imperfecta. METHODS: Intravenous pamidronate was administered to 64 children (from 21 months to 10 years old) with severe OI, in a 1 mg/kg single daily dose for 3 sequential days at 4-month intervals, over 24-48 months duration. Clinical status, biochemical characteristics including bone turnover markers, bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and femoral neck, and radiological changes were assessed regularly during treatment. RESULTS: The number of fractures decreased from a median of 8 (range 4-11) to 0 fractures/year (range 0-4) (p <0.05). After 16 months of treatment, there was significant improvement in bone mineral density (BMD-DEXA) z-score of the lumbar spine from a median of -5.90 (range -7.01 to -4.76) to -2.70 (range -4.46 to -1.98) (p <0.001). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (bone formation marker) decreased from a median of 731.0 U/l (range 438-998 U/l) to 183 U/l (range 95-286 U/l) (p <0.001), implying a significant reduction in bone turnover and resorption and increase in bone mineralization. There was no improvement in growth velocity or height SDS. Mobility and ambulation improved in all but five children (all five had taken the drug for less than 2.5 years). There was a significant relief of chronic pain and fatigue but no adverse effects in all children using the drug. CONCLUSION: Cyclic pamidronate administration is effective in improving bone mineralization and reducing fracture incidence in childhood osteogenesis imperfecta.