Thymoquinone and curcumin modify inducible nitric oxide synthase, caspase 3, and thioredoxin immunohistochemical expression in acetaminophen hepatotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity is characterised by an extensive oxidative stress due to depletion of glutathione (GSH), which results in massive lipid peroxidation and subsequent liver injury. The current paradigm suggests that mitochondria are the main source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which impair mitochondrial function and are responsible for cell signalling resulting in cell death. This study was designed to compare the potential impact of thymoquinone (THQ), and/or curcumin (CURC) on liver injury induced by APAP toxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total bilirubin, and total protein were measured. In addition, liver nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated. Moreover, these biochemical parameters were confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations for the expression of thioredoxin, iNOS and caspase 3. RESULTS: Acetaminophen toxicity elevated most of the above-mentioned parameters but decreased GSH, SOD, and total protein levels. Histologically, liver sections demonstrated liver injury characterised by hepatocellular necrosis with nuclear pyknosis, karyorrhexis and karyolysis. Immunohistochemical study revealed increased expression of iNOS and caspase 3 proteins, while the thioredoxin protein expression was decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with the THQ and CURC regulated the biochemical and histopathological alterations induced by APAP toxicity. It was concluded that the combination strategy of THQ and CURC might be considered as a potential antidote in combating liver injury induced by APAP with minimal side effects.

Nodular fasciitis of the hand: excision preserving 'vital' structures.

Nodular fasciitis is an extremely rare benign fibrous tumour of the hand. Although benign, the tumour is frequently adherent to tendons/nerves and joints of the hand. However, the tumour may spontaneously regress and does not tend to recur following excision with histologically positive margins. For the last 20 years, the author has adopted a specific management approach for these and other benign fibrous tumours of the hand. Following the clinical/radiological diagnosis, tumour excision is done preserving 'vital' structures within the hand. The diagnosis is confirmed histologically and by immune stains, and the patient is then followed up for local recurrence. Over a 20-year period, the author has treated four cases of nodular fasciitis of the hand using this management approach. Despite the positive margins in all cases, there were no recurrences at a minimum follow-up interval of 3 years.

Intracranial extraosseous chondroblastoma simulating meningioma.

Extraosseous chondroblastoma had been reported in different parts of the body but not intracranially. We report a case of a pathologically proven intracranial extraosseous chondroblastoma of the right cavernous sinus in an 18-year-old woman with CT, MR, and conventional angiographic features simulating meningioma.