[ effects of FGF8 and Shh on expression of dopaminergic markers from human amniotic epithelial cells]

Recently, interest has increased in the potential employment of embryonic stem cells for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, which has been considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy. Due to their pluripotent differentiation potential, the finding that they do not induce carcinoma and the fact that they do not raise the ethical concerns connected with human embryonic stem cells, human amniotic epithelial cells are considered to be a very promising cell source. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of FGF8 and Shh on the expression of dopaminergic markers from human amniotic epithelial cells. In this study, we examined the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in vitro from AECs using the expression of several markers including TH, DAT and D beta H. For dopaminergic differentiation, sonic hedgehog [Shh] and FGF8 were added to cultures and the cultures were allowed to differentiate for 21 days. Analysis of AECs derived dopaminergic neurons was performed at the TH, DAT, beta-tubulin III and D beta H expression levels by immunocitochemistry. The significance of the data was tested by Student's t-test [between two groups] and one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] followed by Tukey post-test. [p<0/01, p<0/05]. Combination of Shh and FGF8 showed the higher level of TH in comparison to control group or these factors alone. Moreover, Shh is more effective than FGF8 on DAT expression in comparison to expression of D beta H. These results show the capability of AECs to express dopaminergic neural markers and this ability is affected by Shh and FGF8

Giant adrenal myelolipoma associated with beta-thalassemia: a case report

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumors composed of mature adipose tissue and hematopoietic elements that resemble bone marrow. They most commonly occur in the adrenal gland, yet only comprise about 3% of all adrenal tumours. Although several hypotheses have been proposed as to the cause of myelolipoma, the causative process is still not clearly understood. The majority of myelolipomas are asymptomatic. It usually represents as accidental finding in imaging studies. There are some case reports about coincidence of adrenal giant myelolipoma with RBC disorders. In this case report, we present a beta thalassemic 26 year old male patient who had giant adrenal myelolipoma