effect of human umbilical cord blood stem cells on liver regenerative activity in mice

Liver fibrosis is seen as scar formation and considered as a sign of hepatic injury in many chronic liver diseases. Currently there is no effective treatment available. Human umbilical cord blood [HUCB] contains stem / progenitor cells, which can differentiate into a variety of cell types. They can differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo and can ameliorate fives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of HUCB stem cells on fibrosis formation induced by carbon tetrachloride [CC14] and on liver function in mice. Hepatic fibrosis was induced by CC14. HLCB stem cells were infused systemically through the tail vein immediately [group 1] or after one week of receiving CC14 [group 2]. Group 3 received only CC14. Administration of CC14 was continued for 10 weeks in G1, G2 and G3, while group 4 [control mice] received only saline infusion for 10 weeks. After that blood from all groups was collected for assessment of the liver function, then all mice were sacrificed under anesthesia, and the liver was taken for histopathological examination. It was found that the level of alanine aminotransferase [ALT] in mice treated with stem cells alter CC14 administration was significantly lower while s. albumin was significantly higher compared to group 3 animals who received CC14 without stem cell treatment [P=0.001], whereas serum total and direct bilirubin levels were similar among all groups. Histological examination revealed that hepatic damage was less in the stem cell treated mice [G1 and G2] than in the non treated group [as regards the liver cell changes, portal tract inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, portal tract fibrosis and bridging fibrosis]. The results were statistically significant. However, liver inflammation and fibrosis were more in mice treated after 1 week than in immediately treated mice. The results suggest that HUCB stem cells can improve liver function and ameliorate liver fibrosis in mice

Retrospective evaluation of cases diagnosed as non-neoplastic diseases of the colon

This study was conducted on 197 non-neoplastic endoscopic colorectal biopsies received in our department in a period of six years in order to classify different types of colitis trying to make a clinically relevant rather than descriptive diagnoses using the guidelines published by the British Society of Gastroenterology, 1997 and in the view of other recent studies. After examination, biopsies formed of single fragment, below 2 mm. in diameter, without muscularis mucosa, and badly oriented, were unsatisfactory for pathological examination and excluded. These biopsies were 10 biopsies [5%]. The remaining 187 biopsies were categorized into normal or non-specific change [67.9%], Ulcerative colitis [10.7%], indeterminate colitis [1.6%], Crohn's disease [2.1%], Bilharzial colitis [2.7%], Bilharzial polyp [2.1%], lymphocytic colitis [1.1%], eosinophilic colitis [1.6%], granulomatous colitis [2.1%], juvenile polyp [3.7%], hyperplastic polyp [4.3%]. The reviewer diagnosis was different from the original diagnosis in [22%] of biopsies due to the introduction of new entities, and this discrepancy was highest in rare and recently described forms of colitis [such as lymphocytic colitis and indeterminate colitis]. We found that multiple biopsies; biopsies above 2 mm in diameter; those containing muscularis mucosa; and good orientation improve the diagnostic value of colonoscopic biopsies

Incidence and surgical intervention of nonatherosclerotic peripheral vascular occlusive diseases in North East of Egypt

Nonatherosclerotic peripheral vascular occlusive diseases in North East of Egypt havn't been reported before. The aim of this study is to search for these diseases. A prospective study on all patients admitted to the vascular unit, Suez Canal University hospital, with peripheral occlusive vascular disease since September 2000 was performed. In addition to all routine laboratory and radiological investigation, ESR and C-reactive protein were tested. A segment of the occluded artery was removed during surgical intervention and sent for histopathological examination. If the specimen showed evidence of arteritis, anti neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies [ANCAs] were tested in the serum.Sixty two patients were included in this study, 52 had positive inflammatory markers and 38 [61%] had histopathological evidence of vasculitis. In the latter group there were 6 [16%] female, 32 [84%] male, median age 45.5 years and all had negative ANCAs. Femoro-popliteal bypass was performed in 17 patients, femorodistal bypass in 9 patients, popliteodistal bypass in 5 patients, axillo-brachial bypass in one patient and primary amputation in 6 patients. There is a high incidence of medium and small sized arteritis in patients with peripheral occlusive disease with negative ANCAs. Routine check up for inflammatory marker in patients with chronic occlusive arterial disease is mandatory. The value of medical treatment to restrain thrombotic progression of the arterial lesions and overall prognosis needs further studies. This paper was presentated at the North African and Middle East chapter of the International Union of Angiology. Cairo, Egypt- October 2001