Species-specific toxicity of aristolochic acid (AA) in vitro.

Differences in toxicity and carcinogenicity of the nephrotoxic compound aristolochic acid between rodents and humans suggest a species-dependent mechanism of action. The goal of this study was to investigate constitutive differences in the susceptibility of renal cortex cells originating from human, rat and porcine origin in vitro. Effects of 24 and 48 h AA exposure on cell number and MTT reduction were studied. Furthermore, using the effective concentrations causing 20 and 50% reduction (cell number), cell cycle, 3H-thymidine incorporation and DNA damage analyses were conducted. AA cytotoxicity was observed in all cell types in a time- and concentration dependent manner with species-specific differences, with porcine cells being the most sensitive. AA had a comparable effect on the cell cycle in primary human and porcine cells and the rat NRK-52E cell line following 48 h exposure, also corroborated by the reduced 3H-thymidine incorporation in NRK-52E cells. In addition, DNA unwinding, suggestive of enhanced DNA damage, was observed in primary porcine cells. These results provide an initial insight into the sensitivity and suitability of different in vitro-systems and suggest that primary porcine renal cortex cells could be a valuable in vitro-system to study AA toxicity.

[Metastasis of prostate carcinoma to the lamina submucosa of the distal rectum in ulcerative colitis 2 years after transrectal prostate biopsy and radical prostatovesiculectomy]. / Metastase eines Prostatakarzinoms in der Lamina submucosa des distalen Rektums bei Colitis ulcerosa 2 Jahre nach transrektaler Prostatabiopsie und radikaler Prostatovesikulektomie.

Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy is the standard technique to detect prostate cancer histologically. Based on a few case reports, it is known that prostate biopsy can cause a seeding of tumor cells. We report the case of a 64-year-old man who 2 years after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer underwent proctocolectomy because of ulcerative pancolitis. In the lamina submucosa of the distal rectum a micrometastasis of the prostate cancer was found. A possible reason for this metastasis is an implantation of prostate cancer cells due to the transrectal biopsy of the prostate.

A major renal artery aneurysm as the cause of a hydronephrosis with renovascular hypertension.

In general, renal artery aneurysms occur very rarely. This study reports on a 9-cm renal artery aneurysm which was erroneously thought to be a renal cyst, and which, as a result of depression of the renal parenchym and the ureteropelvic junction, led to arterial hypertension and consecutive, reduced function hydronephrosis.

[Special support device for objective size determination of the prostate using transrectal ultrasound]. / Spezialhalterung zur objektiven Grössenbestimmung der Prostata mit Hilfe des transrektalen Ultraschalls.

Report on a new, simple equipment for reproducible transrectal ultrasonographic examination of seminal vesicles and prostate. By means of this equipment it is possible to determine the exact extension of interesting areas, e.g. the size of the prostate and seminal vesicles.