Comparison of I-123 IMP and Ga-67 citrate scintigraphy of malignant melanoma.

I-123 iodoamphetamine (IMP) and Ga-67 scintigraphy of malignant melanoma were performed to compare the accumulation of these tracers regarding tumor diameter to determine the site of I-123 IMP accumulation and to evaluate the use of I-123 IMP and Ga-67 in postoperative follow-up. The studies involved 44 patients with a definite diagnosis of malignant melanoma during a 10-year period from April 1991 through March 2001. In this study a very high detection rate of 90.9% was obtained for primary foci with I-123 IMP. With Ga-67, the primary site detection rate was 25%. The results suggest that I-123 IMP is superior to Ga-67 with respect to the detection rate of primary site.

[Expression of stress protein (HSP 70) in adrenalectomized mice].

We have already reported that the expression of HSP 70 in the adrenal gland was the most apparent among all organs in whole body-heated mice. In this paper, we examined the relation between the induction of HSP 70 and the adrenal gland using adrenalectomized mice. The expression of HSP 70 in some organs of adrenalectomized mice was significantly lowered in comparison with control mice. Adrenalectomy attenuated whole body heating-induced HSP 70 induction in some organs. Low expression of HSP 70 in adrenalectomized mice was a result to high-mortality caused by endotoxin shock. These results indicate that the adrenal gland plays an important role in the response to stress, leading to the induction of HSP 70.

[Radioprotective effects of natural beta-carotene on villi and crypts in abdominally radiated mice].

The protective effect of beta-carotene against radiation injury to the small intestine of abdominally radiated mice (15 Gy) was examined with administration given pre-radiation, during (pre- and post-) radiation, and post-radiation. In the beta-carotene group, the ratio of villus length to crypt was significantly greater in comparison with the radiation only group at 2 days after radiation. At 7 days after radiation, the ratio of necrotic cells in the crypt vs. the total was significantly lower, and the ratio of necrotic cells in the villus vs. the total was significantly greater with beta-carotene administration, which indicated that beta-carotene accelerated recovery from radiation injury. Each group administered beta-carotene showed a significant radioprotective effect, with pre-radiation administration yielding a smaller effect than administration during radiation and post-radiation. It is concluded that pre-, during, and post-radiation administration of beta-carotene protected against radiation injury of the small intestine and accelerated recovery from it.