Protein expression of metastasis-related genes in human bladder carcinoma

The discovery of genetic alterations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that accompany tumor formation has encouraged the search for genes that may promote or suppress tumor metastasis. This study aimed to investigate, by immunohistochemical analysis, protein expression of the metastasis-related genes metalloproteinase-2 [MMP-2] and nm-23 in human bladder carcinoma. Their role as prognostic factors against established clinicopathological variables in bladder carcinoma was evaluated. A total of 60 specimens of bladder carcinoma were obtained by radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. In addition, 10 tissue samples from normal mucosa adjacent to tumors were examined and served as controls. Immunohistochemical expression of MMP-2 and nm-23 was correlated with histological grade, tumor stage, lymph node metastases, and the presence or absence of bilharziasis. MMP-2 was expressed in 63% of patients with human bladder carcinoma and was shown to be positively correlated with histological grade, lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage. In contrast, nm-23 was expressed in 61% of patients with carcinoma but with insignificant correlation between its expression and the previous variables. Both proteins showed insignificant correlation with the presence or absence of bilharziasis. The study revealed that nm-23 expression was nonsignificantly correlated with MMP-2 expression and that nm-23 does not behave as a metastasis suppressor gene in bladder carcinoma. MMP-2 overexpression seems to be related to more aggressive tumors with advanced stages and grades; therefore, it may be used not only as a promoting prognostic marker for bladder carcinoma but also as a novel target for clinical therapy

Hepatorotective effect of garlic [Allium sativum] and vitamin E on experimental liver injuries induced by ultraviolet radiation

Previous researches have demonstrated that the garlic and vitamin E were able to exert preventive properties against sunburn, delay the onset of skin tumors and reduce radiation induced tissue damage. These compounds may act as antioxidants able to scavenge free radicals and lipid peroxidation. The aim of the present study is to investigate the possible protective effect of garlic and vitamin E against ultraviolet radiation induced liver damage. A total of 60 male albino rats weighing 180-200 g were used in this study. The rats were divided into six groups. Each group contained 10 rats. Group [1] Animals were kept as control. Group [2] Animals were exposed to ultraviolet C-rays 180-280 nm for 30 successive days. Group [3] was given ethanolic extract of garlic at dose level of 0.18 ml/100 g.15 min before exposure to ultraviolet C-rays 180-280 nm for 30 successive days. Group [4] was given vitamin E at dose level of 100 mg/kg b. w 15 min before exposure to ultraviolet C-rays 180-280 nm. The fifth and sixth groups were given garlic and vitamin E respectively for 30 successive days. Histopathological effects in liver were demonstrated as necrosis, fibrosis, fatty changes, inflammatory cellular infiltration and vacuolar degeneration. Deep nuclear basophilia and karyolysis were also seen in some hepatocytes. No pathological, histochemical and ultrastructural changes could be observed in rats treated with garlic or vitamin E. Histochemical results showed marked diminution of glycogen content, DNA, protein content and increase in collagen deposition. Ultrastructural changes were observed in irradiated rats in the form of areas of cytoplasmic dissolution, partial clumping of nuclear chromatin and partial disappearance of nuclear membrane. Mitochondria had dense matrix with proliferation and vesiculation of endoplasmic reticulum. The treatment of rats with ethanolic extract of garlic or vitamin E before exposure to ultraviolet C-rays alleviated the deleterious effects of ultraviolet radiation

Early diagnosis of mycosis fungoides by multiparametric image cytometry

In this study, image cytometry of DNA content, S phase and morphometric parameters were used as objective methods for the distinction between early mycosis fungoids [MF] and eczematous dermatitis. Ten cases of eczematous dermatitis and 20 cases of patch stage MF were studied. All the MF cases showed aneuploid histograms and all the eczematous dermatitis cases showed diploid histograms. A higher S phase fraction nuclear ploidy and DNA index and lower 2C fraction were detected in MF cases. All the 12 estimated morphometric parameters as well as the calculated nuclear contour index [NCI] were significantly higher in MF than eczematous dermatitis