The effects of gilaburu (Viburnum opulus) juice on experimentally induced Ehrlich ascites tumor in mice.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of study was to investigate anticancer effect of Viburnum opulus (VO) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice that treated with different concentrations of VO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For tumor transplantation; mice were inoculated with 1 × 106 EAC cells intraperitoneally and than divided into five groups (n = 9). Two hours after inoculation; experimental groups were treated daily with VO extract at doses of 1000 mg/kg, 2000 mg/kg, 4000 mg/kg. RESULTS: Extracts obtained from gilaburu juice can have hinder effect on tumor cell growth. CONCLUSION: As far as we known, this is the first study about in vivo antitumoral activity of VOon Ehrlich ascites tumor model, and consequently VO extract exhibited anticancer activity against EAC-bearing mice.

Liver transplantation using organs from donors older than 60 years.

At present, it is frequently accepted to expand the organ pool for liver transplantation (LTx) by including livers from critical donors. From 1990 to June 2002 a total of 1,208 LTx were performed. Of those, 67 livers from donors older than 60 years were transplanted to 66 patients, including re-LTx in eight patients. Fourteen patients had malignant diseases (21%). Ten patients had a high urgency status (15%). Median donor age was 65 years (range 61-80 years). Primary graft function was observed in 84%. Patient survival rate at 1 and 5 years was 79% and 62%, and graft survival was 68% and 53%, respectively. No difference was observed in LTx with livers from donors younger than 60 years. Fifteen graft losses occurred during the study. Surgical complications were observed in 23 patients (34%). The outcome of LTx with livers from donors older than 60 years is satisfactory and is comparable to results of LTx with livers from donors younger than 60 years. The frequency of vascular complications and cholestasis syndrome is not increased.

Effectiveness of peripheral hepatogastrostomy versus hepatojejunostomy in the treatment of obstructive cholestasis: results of an experimental model.

PURPOSE: Tumors of the liver hilum frequently cause obstructive cholestasis. When a curative resection of the tumor is impossible, palliative bile drainage is indicated. A hepatojejunostomy is performed if conservative treatment fails or if irresectability is proven during an initial laparotomy. In patients with peritoneal carcinosis and mesentery retraction, a hepatogastrostomy may represent a helpful alternative. An experimental study was designed to compare the bile drainage effectiveness of a hepatogastrostomy versus a hepatojejunostomy. METHODS: Two-month-old outbred piglets were used in all experiments. The animals were randomized into three groups (hepatojejunostomy, hepatogastrostomy alone, hepatogastrostomy and proton pump inhibitors). Obstructive cholestasis was induced by common bile duct ligation; hepatojejunostomy and hepatogastrostomy were performed 2 weeks later. The serum bilirubin levels were monitored weekly. All animals were killed 4 weeks after the drainage operation. RESULTS: Following a hepatojejunostomy (n = 5) all animals showed decreasing cholestasis parameters. All animals (n = 3) died within 3-5 days after a hepatogastrostomy due to gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastric ulcers and ulcers of the liver surface. The administration of pantoprazole prevented these bleeding complications. In animals treated by hepatogastrostomy and proton pump inhibitors (n = 5), bile drainage effectiveness was similar to that following hepatojejunostomy. CONCLUSION: A hepatogastrostomy represents an alternative treatment option for surgical bile drainage with a similar effectiveness to that of a hepatojejunostomy. To prevent postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding, proton pump inhibitors should be used.