Nephroprotective effect of ursolic Acid in a murine model of gentamicin-induced renal damage.

The present study evaluates the nephroprotective effects of ursolic acid in a murine model of gentamicin induced renal damage. Wistar albino rats of either sex, weighing 150-200 g were divided into 5 groups; normal saline, gentamicin 80 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 8 days, ursolic acid at 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg, per oral for 8 days, ursolic acid administered 3 days prior and concurrently with gentamicin for 5 days. Blood urea, serum creatinine, uric acid and blood urea nitrogen analyses and microscopic examination of kidney were performed. Gentamicin treatment caused nephrotoxicity as evidenced by marked elevation in serum urea, serum uric acid, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (162.33 ± 9.92 mg/dL, 3.13 ± 0.12 mg/dL, 6.85 ± 0.35 mg/dL and 75.86 ± 4.64 mg/dL; resp.) when compared to the saline treated groups. Co-administration of ursolic acid with gentamicin decreased the rise in these parameters in a dose dependent manner. Histopathological analysis revealed epithelial loss with intense granular degeneration in gentamicin treated rats, whereas ursolic acid mitigated the severity of gentamicin-induced renal damage. To conclude, our data suggest that ursolic acid exhibits renoprotective effect in gentamicin induced renal damage and further studies on its mechanis of action are warranted.

Primary intracystic squamous cell carcinoma of the breast: A case report and review of the literature.

Primary intracystic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is an extremely rare entity and has a low incidence in comparison with other breast cancers. We report a rare case of primary intracystic SCC in a 45-year-old woman who presented with a cystic lump in the right breast. Cytological smears of the fluid aspirated from the breast tumor revealed malignant squamous cells dispersed in single and occasional groups along with numerous cyst macrophages, suggesting cystic SCC. Histological study of the mastectomy specimen confirmed the diagnosis of primary intracystic SCC. Although the presence of abundant foamy macrophages in the background of fine needle aspiration cytology smears of the breast suggest benign breast lesion, when associated with malignant squamous cells, these suggest cystic primary SCC or metastatic SCC. The primary SCC should not be confused with metaplastic change in other breast carcinomas.