ABSTRACT
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by fibrosis in skin and internal organs, progressive vascular obliteration, and the production of autoantibodies. Diagnostic imaging is irreplaceable in both diagnosing and monitoring patients suffering from systemic sclerosis. In addition to routinely used methods, such as comparative X-ray of the hands or a contrast-enhanced examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract or chest, there is an array of less widespread examinations, with an emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography, not only in the evaluation of the musculoskeletal system. This article will review the various imaging modalities available for SSc imaging and assessment, focusing on their utility as tissue-specific diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Free radicals, in a colon, may damage DNA, make difficult DNA repair and change course of post-translational modifications of regulatory proteins, which promote tumor initiation and progression. Therefore risk of colon cancer is closely related to diet and other lifestyle factors. Dietary antioxidants, such as vitamin E, should reduce the levels of harmful oxidation products. However vitamin E is not soluble in water, which decreases its bioavailability. As O-glycosides of alpha-tocopherol are better soluble in water and penetrate to tissues easier than free alpha-tocopherol, the aim of our work was to investigate the rate of release the free tocopherol from its O-glycosides in colon cancer, in comparison to human healthy colon tissue. METHODOLOGY: The activities of enzymes catalysing hydrolysis of alpha-tocopheryl glucoside (1a) and mannoside (1b) as well as p-nitrophenyl beta-glucoside (2a) and mannoside (2b) in cancer and healthy human colon tissues, were determined according to the modified method described by Zwierz et al. RESULTS: The alpha-tocopherol and p-nitrophenol were significantly better released from the respective glucosides and mannosides in cancer tissue than in "healthy" human colon tissues, with p = 0.000947 for la, p = 0.033024 for 1b; p = 0.0028 for 2a, and p = 0.0033 for 2b, respectively. CONCLUSION: Alpha-tocopherol and p-nitrophenol are released from the O-glycosides of glucose and mannose in significantly higher amount in colon cancer than in healthy tissues. The alpha-tocopherol O-glycosides can be considered as prodrugs in prevention and treatment of the colon cancer.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/metabolism , Colon/metabolism , Colonic Neoplasms/metabolism , Glycosides/metabolism , alpha-Tocopherol/metabolism , Antioxidants/chemical synthesis , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Glycosides/chemical synthesis , Humans , Mannosidases/chemical synthesis , Mannosidases/metabolism , Molecular Structure , Nitrophenols/chemical synthesis , Nitrophenols/metabolism , alpha-Tocopherol/chemical synthesisABSTRACT
Work in cadmium (Cd) smelter and smoking cigarettes damages teeth and oral mucosa which are protected by tissue and salivary glycoconjugates: glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans. We worked out a rat model imitating human "environmental" and "occupational" exposure to cadmium using 5 mg Cd and 50 mg Cd/l in drinking water, respectively. In submandibulary glands of exposed to Cd rats, we found the time and dose dependent accumulation of Cd and simultanous decrease in activity of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase (HEX). In homogenates of submandibulary glands of control rats, beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase showed the highest activity. The activities of alpha-mannosidase and beta-galactosidase were very low. None of these exoglycosidases were inhibited by Cd even at 44 mM concentration.
