Immunohistochemical evaluation of CD20 expression in patients with multiple myeloma

Objective: CD20 expression was reported at different rates in patients with multiple myeloma. The importance of this B-cell antigen for plasma cells is still unknown. This study aimed to investigate CD20 expression of myeloma cells in bone marrow, and any relationship between the stage of disease, isotype and clinical features. Methods: Sixty-one patients who were admitted to the hematology clinic of the Adnan Menderes Medical School with the diagnosis of multiple myeloma according to the criteria of the "International Myeloma Working Group" were enrolled in this study. Age, gender, Durie-Salmon stage, history of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and the distribution pattern and positivity of CD20 expression on multiple myeloma cells in bone marrow were evaluated. The Mann-Whitney U and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis with a p-value < 0.05 being accepted as statistically significant. Results: Thirty patients (48.9%) had positive scores for CD20 with the distribution pattern being most likely interstitial in 55.6% of the cases. There was no statistically significant difference between immunohistochemical positivity for CD20 expression on multiple myeloma cells, immunoglobulin type, and the stage of disease. Conclusion: The combination of immunohistochemical studies with flow cytometry may reveal the importance of CD20 positivity in patients with multiple myeloma more clearly. .

The Efficacy of Tramadol Combined with A Donor of NO, Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) Mixture on Cytokines, NF-KB Expression and Oxıdative Stress Marker in the Rat Model of Formalin-Induced Inflammation.

In addition to well-known analgesic action of tramadol, its potential antinflammatory effects have not been thoroughly evaluated. On the other hand, effectiveness of antioxidants is also reported against inflammation. It is known that glyceryl trinitrate, as a nitric oxide donor, enhance the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, the efficacy of the tramadol mixtue with glyceryl trinitrate on cytokines, NF-kappa B expression and oxidative stress marker was examined on the formalin-induced inflammation in rats (Tramadol 5, 10 and 30 mg/kg + nitroglycerine 1 mg/kg). Cytokines (TNF-, IL-6 and IL-10) and oxidative/anti-oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH) were measured in blood samples. NF-kappa B expression was assessed immunohistochemically in spleen and thymus. The results show that tramadol 30 mg/kg has both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Additionally, it was evidenced that glyceryl trinitrate improves the antiinflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of Tramadol (30 mg/kg) on the formalin-induced inflammation in rats. In this framework, the present study provides a unique approach for the analysis of the efficacy of tramadol and additive effects of glyceryl trinitrate on the acute inflammations in rats.