Oligomeric Procyanidins (OPCs) Inhibit Procollagen Type I Secretion of Fibroblasts

Wound healing is composed of a complex process that requires harmonies of various cell populations where fibroblasts play the main role. Oligomeric procyanidins (OPC) are main components of grape (Vitis vinifera) seed extracts, and recent studies showed OPC's effects on inflammation, cell migration, and proliferation. We investigated the effect of OPC on fibroblasts to regulate wound healing process. Human dermal fibroblast known as Hs27 cells were treated with various concentrations of OPC (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 µg/µl). Cell cytotoxicity was evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit assay, and the expression levels of secreted procollagen were analyzed. Procollagen levels in OPC treated cells exposed to transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) or ascorbic acid were evaluated using Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Relative mRNA expressions of procollagen, molecular chaperone such as HSP47, P4H were determined by real-time PCR in OPC treated cells. OPC showed no cytotoxicity on Hs27 cells at every concentration but inhibited procollagen secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect also appeared under TGF-β1 induced collagen overproduction. Immunocytochemistry showed that higher levels of intracytoplasmic procollagen were accumulated in TGF-β1 treatment group, whereas ascorbic acid induced a release of accumulated procollagen under OPC treatment. The mRNA expressions of procollagen, molecular chaperone were not affected by OPC, but procollagen level was increased when exposed to TGF-β1. OPC inhibits procollagen secretion from fibroblasts with no effects on cell proliferations even under the environment of TGF-b1-induced collagen overproduction. OPC could regulate the diseases and symptoms of abnormal overabundant collagen production.

KCl Mediates K+ Channel-Activated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases Signaling in Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Wound healing is an interaction of a complex signaling cascade of cellular events, including inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. K+ channels modulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Here, we investigated whether K+ channel-activated MAPK signaling directs collagen synthesis and angiogenesis in wound healing. METHODS: The human skin fibroblast HS27 cell line was used to examine cell viability and collagen synthesis after potassium chloride (KCl) treatment by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and western blotting. To investigate whether K+ ion channels function upstream of MAPK signaling, thus affecting collagen synthesis and angiogenesis, we examined alteration of MAPK expression after treatment with KCl (channel inhibitor), NS1619 (channel activator), or kinase inhibitors. To research the effect of KCl on angiogenesis, angiogenesis-related proteins such as thrombospondin 1 (TSP1), anti-angiogenic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), pro-angiogenic factor were assayed by western blot. RESULTS: The viability of HS27 cells was not affected by 25 mM KCl. Collagen synthesis increased dependent on time and concentration of KCl exposure. The phosphorylations of MAPK proteins such as extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 increased about 2.5-3 fold in the KCl treatment cells and were inhibited by treatment of NS1619. TSP1 expression increased by 100%, bFGF expression decreased by 40%, and there is no significant differences in the VEGF level by KCl treatment, TSP1 was inhibited by NS1619 or kinase inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that KCl may function as a therapeutic agent for wound healing in the skin through MAPK signaling mediated by the K+ ion channel.

Surgical Experiences of Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Pancreas : Comparative Study of Functioning vs. Non-functioning Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Aims A neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) of the pancreas is rare, and can be divided into functioning and nonfunctioning NEN. This study was carried out to determine the characteristics and surgical outcomes of NEN of the pancreas experienced in a single institution. METHODS: The medical records of patients diagnosed with NEN of the pancreas (pancreatic islet-cell neoplasm) between June 1900 and June 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients with NEN of the pancreas were examined. Nineteen patients (57.6%) had a nonfunctioning NEN and 14 (42.4%) had a functioning NEN. By comparison, the tumor size (p=0.001), distant metastasis (p=0.042), malignant characteristics (p=0.010) and survival (p=0.002), were significantly different. Surgical resections were almost always possible in the cases of functioning NEN. Patients with functioning NENs of the pancreas had a significantly higher survival than those patients with nonfunctioning NENs (p=0.002). A curative resection provided a better survival outcome in patients with nonfunctioning NENs (p=0.005) and offered a more than 80% disease-free survival in those with functioning NENs of the pancreas. CONCLUSION: Nonfunctioning NENs of the pancreas appeared to be more aggressive than functioning NENs. A complete resection of the NENs of the pancreas can provide a good prognosis.

A Case of Intradural Spinal Lipoma

Intradural spinal lipomas are rare, primary genign tumor of the spinal canal. A case of intradural spinal lipoma with intramedullary extension is presented. Clinical feature was slowly progressing paraparesis. A subtotal excision was performed, and pathological studies confirmed the diagnosis.

Clinical Analysis of Chronic Subdural Hematomas: Review of 69 Operated Cases

The authors analysed retrospectively, 69 cases of chronic subdural hematoma admitted to the Department of Neurological Surgery, from January 1992 to February 1995. All hematomas were operated on by one burr hole trephination and continuous closed-system cather drainage system. The results were as follows: 1) Male was more frequently involved than female with ratio of 5.3:1 and the incidence was prredominent in the patients whose ages were over 50. 2) History of head trauma was found in 52 cases(75.4%), among which habitual alcoholism was found in 6 cases(8.7%). 3) The major symptoms and signs at admission were headache(55.1%), hemiparesis(44.9%), and mental changes(30.4%). 4) On the brain CT scan, hematoma showed low, iso, mixed, and high in density, and the shapes of hematoma were crescenteric, biconvex, planoconvex, and concave in order of frequency. 5) We have found a significant relationship between the neurological grade at admission and the prognosis, and noted full recovery in 45 cases(65.2%) and no d eath as a result of 1-burr hole trephination.