Evaluation of the protective effect of thyme oil on possible toxicity of vinerlbine [navelbine] in mice

Vinorelbine [Navelbine] is a semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid derived from vinblastine which is used mainly to treat non-small cell lung cancer. One of the most recognized natural antioxidant is Thymus vulgaris which plays an important role in the chemoprevention of diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible hematological, kidney and lung toxicities of Navelbine in albino mice and to clarify the protective effects of Thyme oil when co-administrated with Navelbine. Eighty Male albino mice were divided into four groups: normal control group, Navelbine treated group, Thyme oil treated group and Navelbine-Thyme oil treated group. Navelbine was injected intraperitoneal in mice in a dose of 10mg/kg/week for four weeks. Thyme oil was administered by gavage in a dose of 72 micro g/mice every second day for twenty days. Parameters done included: complete blood picture, kidney function tests [blood urea and serum creatinine], albumin and total protein were measured. Histological analysis was conducted on tissues collected from kidney and lung of normal and treated groups. Results of this study showed that Navelbine caused mild to moderate anemia, significant leucopenia with relative lymphocytosis and thrombocytopenia. Navelbine induced mild renal toxicity in the form of increase in blood urea and serum creatinine. Serum total proteins and albumin were decreased. Histopathological changes observed in the mice kidney were in the form of heavy lymphocytic infiltrations, oedema in the glomeruli and congested blood vessels. Pulmonary histopathology showed congestion, distorted alveoli, mononuclear cells infiltrations, interseptal oedema and hyperplasia of the bronchiolar epithelial cells. By co-administration of Thyme oil improvement of haematological and biochemical parameters had occurred meanwhile mild changes had occurred on histological studies. In conclusion, Thyme oil could be used as a chemoprotective agent against Navelbine induced toxicity in albino mice

Efficiency of propolis extract against mitochondrial stress induced by antineoplasic agents (doxorubicin and vinblastin) in rats.

To assess the oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction associated with disease, toxic process and aging, in vivo and in vitro preventive effect of propolis extract against mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by two anticancer drugs (doxorubicin and vinblastin) have been investigated in female wistar rat using liver and heart mitochondria. The results show that doxorubicin and vinblastin altered mitochondrial functions as observed by a decrease in respiratory control value, an activation of swelling and overproduction of superoxide anion. Myocardial tissue from doxorubicin treated rats showed a marked increase in malondialdehyde production, a depletion of reduced glutathione contents and an inhibition of catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Similar results were also observed in liver tissue. Pretreatment of rats with propolis extract (100 mg/kg/day po) (10(-4) M ip) administered 4 days prior to doxorubicin (20 mg/kg) and/or vinblastin (2 mg/kg) injection, substantially reduced the peroxidative damage in myocardium and hepatic tissues and markedly restored the tissues catalase and SOD activities. The results strongly suggest that propolis extract protects heart and liver tissues from oxidative stress by protecting the mitochondria.

Tumores avanzados de testículo: experiencia con quimioterapia / Advanced testicular tumors: experience with drug theraphy

21 pacientes con tumores de testículo avanzados han sido tratados con quimioterapia en el Instituto Oncológico Luis Razetti e Instituto Médico. La Floresta desde 1984. 19 pacientes han sido evaluables para respuesta. 15 pacientes presentaron por lo menos uno de los siguientes factores de mal pronóstico: Masa abdominal mayor de 10 cms, lesión mediastinal, heliar o pulmonar con diámetro mayor de 2 cms. Enfermedad visceral (excluyendo los pulmones) en hígado, tracto gastrointestinal, huesos y Sistema Nervioso Central. Tumores Extragonadales. 4 pacientes no presentaron factores de mal pronóstico. Los pacientes con factores de mal pronóstico fueron tratados con los regímenes VBD-VP-16 (vimblastina, bleomicina, cisplatino en alta dosis y VP-16) y desde Septiempre de 1986 con el régimen BEP (bleomicina, etoposido, cisplatina a dosis convencionales). Dos pacientes con seminoma fueron tratados con la combinación VAB-6. De 19 pacientes evaluables, 10(52.6) obtuvieron una respuesta completa: cuatro (21%) con quimioterapia y seis (31.5%) con quimioterapia y resección de las masas residuales. Seis pacientes presentaron respuesta imcompleta y uno de los pacientes no respondió al tratamiento. La toxicidad hematológica fue severa con dos muertes toxicas relacionadas al régimen VBD-VP-16. Después de un seguimiento medio de 20 meses (9 a 45 meses) once pacientes (58.7%) se encuentran libres de enfermedad. El tratamiento con quimioterapia desde 1984 ha mejorado las perspectivas en nuestros pacientes con tumores de testículo comparado a nuestras series recientemente revisadas

Quimioterapia con PVB en cáncer testicular / Chemotherapy with PVB in testicular cancer

Se presentan 19 pacientes con Ca. testicular en etapas B1, B2, B3, y C sometidos a quimioterapia con PVB entre 1981-1987 en nuestro Servicio. Se analizan los signos de toxicidad con este esquema quimioterápico. Hubo R.C. (respuesta completa) en 14 pacientes y R.P. (respuesta parcial) en 3 enfermos en etapa B3 (que se convirtieron en R.C. con cirugía y más quimioterapia) y en 2 pacientes en etapa C (1 paciente muerto de su enfermedad y 1 paciente vivo con enfermedad). De 19 pacientes tratados con el esquema PVB solo o en combinación con cirugía tenemos 17 enfermos vivos y sin evidencia de enfermedad