Reduction of amphotericin B-induced renal tubular apoptosis by N-acetylcysteine.

The reduction of amphotericin B (AmB)-induced renal tubular apoptosis and nephrotoxicity by N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in a murine model was evaluated. Four groups of rats were treated with AmB for 5 days, and each group concomitantly received two doses of 30, 60, or 120 mg of NAC/kg of body weight/day or sterile water for 5 days. Groups that received concomitant NAC at any dose had significantly decreased levels of apoptosis compared to that in animals receiving AmB only (48.8% versus 27.4, 23.6, or 23.5%, respectively; P < 0.001).

Effect of combined therapy with hyperbaric oxygen and antioxidant on infarct volume after permanent focal cerebral ischemia.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of combination of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and an antioxidant on permanent focal cerebral ischemia. Male Wistar rats underwent permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Then, animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups: the control group (n=9) received no treatment, HBO group (n=9) was treated for 90 min at 2.5 absolute atmosphere for 3 days, the U-74389G group (n=8) received single U-74389G injection (3 mg/kg), the HBO + U-74389G group (n=8) received both HBO and U-74389G treatments. Treatments were initiated within the first 10 min after MCAO. After 3 days, the infarct volumes in rat brains were measured. The infarct ratios were 25.6+/-6.5 % for the control group, 21.9+/-6.4 % for the HBO group, 15.7+/-5.7 % for U-74389G group and 12.5+/-3.8 % for HBO + U74389G group. The infarct volumes were significantly reduced in rats treated with U-74389G (p<0.05) and combination therapy (p<0.05). HBO failed to reduce infarct volume significantly. We concluded that 1) U-74389G is more beneficial than HBO on permanent MCAO in rats, and 2) a combined therapy failed to significantly improve infarct volume more than either single treatment.

Investigation of Helicobacter pylori in bronchoscopic lung specimens of young male patients with bronchiectasis but without gastrointestinal symptoms.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori IgG serum levels were measured in 31 young male bronchiectasis patients without gastrointestinal symptoms, and 56 healthy males. The possible presence of H. pylori was also investigated by rapid urease tests, culture and histopathological examination of protected catheter brush and biopsy specimens from the bronchiectatic site. No serological, microbiological or histological evidence of H. pylori infection was found in the bronchiectasis patient group. H. pylori did not appear to be an agent of infection or chronic colonisation in bronchiectasis, and may not have a significant role in the progression of this disease.

Prevalence and prognostic value of c-erbB2 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

The c-erbB2 oncoprotein is highly expressed in approximately one third of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We determined the status of c-erbB2 expression in our patients with NSCLC and investigated its correlation with disease stage, histological type and response to treatment. Eighty-four patients were examined for the expression of c-erbB2 by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody. The scoring criteria of Clinical Trial Assay (CTA) were used to evaluate staining (0 to +3). c-erbB2 overexpression was determined in 35% of the cases. Tumors from higher stage disease (stage IIIb-IV) were more often c-erbB2 positive in adenocarcinoma (ADC) (p=0.04). In addition, there was an association between c-erbB2 score and disease stage in ADC patients (p=0.03). Our study did not demonstrate an association of c-erbB2 overexpression with response to chemotherapy. We conclude that c-erbB2 overexpression may be a prognostic marker for evaluating tumor progression in NSCLC patients but further studies must be performed with larger patient populations.

Comparison of the therapeutic efficacy of 4-methylpyrazole and N-acetylcysteine on acetaminophen (paracetamol) hepatotoxicity in rats.

Obtaining effective analgesia with a minimal erosive effect on gastric mucosal tissue has increased the consumption of acetaminophen (paracetamol), especially among the elderly. However, the hepatotoxic effects of acetaminophen have also increased. We aimed to compare the effects of 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and their combined use on the hepatotoxicity of acetaminophen in a rat model. Male Wistar Albino rats were divided into six groups. Groups 1-5 received 2,000 mg/kg acetaminophen by gavage while the control group was group 6. Group 2 animals were given NAC (loading dose 140 mg/kg followed by seven doses at 4 h intervals); group 3 received 50 mg/kg 4-MP; group 4 received 200mg/kg 4-MP; and group 5 received NAC as in group 2 plus 200 mg/kg 4-MP. Blood samples were taken for measurements of serum AST and ALT levels. The livers of the rats were removed for microscopic examination and grading of hepatic necrosis. AST and ALT levels in groups 2-5 were lower than that of group 1 (p < 0.001), although no significant difference was noted between groups 2-5 (p > 0.05). Higher levels of ALT were found in group 5 than in group 2 (p < 0.05), and higher levels of AST were found in group 5 than in group 3 (p < 0.01). Median necrosis scores were 3.36 for rats receiving acetaminophen alone (p < 0.001, compared with groups 2-6), 1.45-1.81 for groups 2-5 (p > 0.05, compared with each other), and 0.18 for control rats (p < 0.001, compared with groups 1-5). In conclusion, the administration of 4-MP and/or NAC after 4 h of administering toxic dose of acetaminophen, inhibits hepatotoxicity in rats. There was no difference between the 4-MP and NAC-treated groups as reflected by comparable levels of serum transaminases and the degree of hepatic necrosis. Combining of 4-MP and NAC offers no benefit.

Significance of p53 and bcl-2 immunoexpression in the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

This study was undertaken to determine whether p53 or bcl-2 immunoexpression has any significance in the prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Eighty-four cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma at different pathological stages and locations were studied. All patients were treated surgically first, and followed up for 6-96 months (mean, 35 months). p53 and bcl-2 immunoexpression in tumour cells, evaluated by image analysis and histoscore, were found in 71.4% and 46.4% of tumours, respectively. Glottic location was correlated with significantly longer survival than tumours at other locations. Pathological stage and histological grade of tumour were also significant predictors of survival. Neither p53 nor bcl-2 immunoexpression was found to be predictive of post-operative survival. Only transglottic tumours expressed significantly high levels of bcl-2. Both methods used to evaluate p53 and bcl-2 immunoexpression correlated well with each other. This study suggests that immunoexpression of p53 and bcl-2 is not a significant prognostic predictor in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.