ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Aquaporins and astrocytes are important in maintaining water hemostasis in brain. Upregulation of AQP-4 has been described in conditions associated with brain edema. AIMS: To study the expression of aquaporin-4 in brain tumors and its correlation with contrast enhancement and perilesional edema. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 cases of brain tumors, both benign and malignant were included in the study to look for expression of AQP-4. RESULTS: AQP-4 expression was increased in brain tumors compared to normal brain but distribution and intensity of expression depend upon the type of tumor. A trend toward increased AQP-4 expression in enhancing lesions with perilesional edema was noticed. CONCLUSION: AQP-4 expression was seen in tumor tissue and perilesional reactive astrocytes in primary brain tumors, however only perilesional astrocytes showed positivity in secondary brain tumors. AQP-4 could be playing a role in alteration of blood-brain barrier leading to contrast enhancement and perilesional edema. Increased knowledge of Aquaporins may open new targeted therapy for brain edema.
Subject(s)
Aquaporin 4/metabolism , Astrocytes/metabolism , Brain Edema/metabolism , Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Contrast Media/metabolism , Blood-Brain Barrier/metabolism , Brain Neoplasms/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Male , Up-RegulationABSTRACT
Actinomycosis is an indolent, slowly progressive infection caused by Actinomyces species. Of human actinomycosis, the spinal form is rare and actinomycosis-related spinal neurological deficit is uncommon. We report two cases with cervical and dorsal actinomycosis and one of them with spinal neurological deficit.
