Assessment of Mean Vessel Density and Angiogenesis in Endometrial Carcinomas.

Objective: To evaluate the role of angiogenesis in tumor growth by the assessment of mean vessel density and to quantify angiogenesis as an important variable in endometrial cancers. Material and Methods: 53 cases of endometrial malignancies (epithelial tumors-36 cases and metastatic tumors-17 cases), were analysed for histological types, grades and features like depth of invasion and vascular invasion. Microvessel counts were performed by examining the microvessels thoroughly in terms of count, morphology and density after staining the tissues by hematoxylin & eosin stain, reticulin and immunostain (Antifactor VIII Ag). Results: On H&E stain - Microvessel density (MVD) in endometrial malignancy ranged from 3.0 - 13.5 and mean MVD was 8.78. On Reticulin stain - MVD ranged from 3.5 - 15.2 and mean MVD was 9.76. Antifactor VIII sections showed very small microvessels or even single endothelial cells with the highest total counts and the MVD ranged from 6.5- 16.8 with Mean MVD of 11.7. The counts increased with the grade of the tumor in the absence of necrosis or haemorrhage. MVD counts also increased with the stage, being 8.12 in Stage I disease, 8.65 in Stage II and 10.8 in stage III disease. Atypical hyperplasia was found to be associated with epithelial tumors in 8 cases, making it a significant finding. Conclusion: Role of angiogenesis assumes greater significance with increasing severity of lesions, higher grade and stage of the tumor and seems to have an important diagnostic and prognostic significance.

Improve Markers of Oxidative Stress and Coagulation Parameters in Response to Atorvastatin Therapy.

Aims: This study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidant effects of atorvastatin in treating cases of atherosclerosis associated with hyperlipidemia. Methodology: Forty local domestic rabbits were assigned to five groups (eight rabbits in each group): After two weeks acclimatization period, a group of 8 rabbits (Group I) were used as the baseline values of the study parameters. Another 8 rabbits were selected and maintained on standard chow diet (4% fat, 18% protein, 60% carbohydrate, and 4% fibers) throughout the experiment (12 weeks) and served as a normal diet control (Group II). The rest 24 rabbits were fed on an atherogenic diet for 8 weeks to induce atherogenesis. At the end of 8th week, a group of 8 atherogenic rabbits (Group III) were separated and sacrificed and served as an atherogenic-baseline group. The remaining 16 atherogenic rabbits were randomly allocated into two groups; first group received atherogenic diet only for the next four weeks and served as an atherogenic control (Group IV). The other group received atorvastatin (Group V). Results: Blood samples were collected for serum lipids, coagulation parameters and oxidation parameters. Results showed a significant improvement in the coagulation parameters and oxidation parameters in the atorvastatin treated group compared to the atherogenic control group (P= .01). Conclusion: This study illustrated the beneficial anti-oxidant effects of atorvastatin in treating atherosclerosis associated with hyperlipidemia.