We examined whether 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induces nitric oxide (NO) production and evaluated the role of NO in antitumor activity in human gastric cancer cells. MKN-1 gastric cancer cells were treated with the IC50 of 5-FU in the presence of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In addition, s-methylisothiourea (an antagonist of inducible nitric oxide synthase) or anti-TNF-alpha antibody was added to the culture medium. Production of NO was measured by nitrite assay, TNF-alpha was measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay, antitumor activity was evaluated by 3-[4,5-dimethylethiazol-2-yl]-2,5-dipheniltetrasolium bromide (MTT) assay. After 5-FU treatment in the presence of IFN-gamma, NO and TNF-alpha were produced and anti-tumor activity was enhanced. In contrast, s-methylisothiourea abolished the antitumor activity of 5-FU treatment. Anti-TNF-alpha antibody inhibited NO production and decreased the antitumor activity. 5-FU induces NO production by gastric cancer cells, and NO participates in antitumor activity in gastric cancer cells. These effects may be mediated by TNF-alpha production.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Helicobacter pylori of the remnant stomach and its eradication.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many authors have reported that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the major causes of gastritis and peptic ulcer. This study was conducted to evaluate the incidence of H. pylori infection and the curative effects of amoxicillin and omeprazole on H. pylori in the remnant stomach. METHODOLOGY: Biopsy specimens were obtained from 70 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. H. pylori was subsequently diagnosed by CLO test and culture of H. pylori. Gastritis was assessed by the scoring of four characteristic pathological parameters. Patients with positive H. pylori were eligible for the eradication study. Amoxicillin, 750 mg per day for 2 weeks, and omeprazole, 20 mg per day for 8 weeks, were administered to them. Endoscopic reexamination was performed 12 weeks after the initiation of treatment. RESULTS: The overall positive rate of H. pylori was 37.1%; 39.6% in Billroth I reconstruction, 0% in Billroth II reconstruction, and 55.6% in pylorus preserving gastrectomy, respectively. The positive H. pylori rate of Billroth II reconstruction was significantly low. However, there was no association of positive rate of H. pylori with time. There was no significant difference of gastritis scores between H. pylori infected patients and non-infected patients. The eradication rate was 70.0%. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori was present in 37.1% of patients who underwent gastrectomy. Gastritis was not significantly severe in H. pylori infected patients. The treatment with amoxicillin and omeprazole was effective for these patients.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Serum CA 19-9, SLX, STN and CEA levels of the peripheral and the draining venous blood in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to elucidate the relationship between the seropositive rates of Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Sialyl Le(a) (CA 19-9), Sialyl Le(x) (SLX) and Sialyl Tn (STN) and the clinicopathological variables. The correlation of serum levels of these antigens between the peripheral venous blood and the venous blood draining from the tumor was also evaluated. METHODOLOGY: The subjects were 113 patients with gastric cancer, who underwent gastrectomy at the First Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University, between 1991 and 1996. Serum levels of CA 19-9, SLX, STN and CEA in the peripheral blood and the draining venous blood were measured. RESULTS: The positive rates for CA 19-9, SLX, STN and CEA were closely correlated with tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and depth of invasion. Although the seropositive rates for CA 19-9, SLX, STN, and CEA in the draining venous blood were lower than those in the peripheral blood, a close correlation for serum levels of 4 antigens between the peripheral venous blood and the draining venous blood was observed in advanced cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that these antigens may be drained by the lymphatic route as well as the hematogenous route. Further studies must be performed to elucidate the mechanism of these antigens entering into the peripheral blood by devising a technique for collecting the lymph.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

KP1 expression of ghost Pick bodies, amyloid P-positive astrocytes and selective nigral degeneration in early onset Picks disease.

We present a patient with early-onset Pick's disease in which selective nigral degeneration, KP1 expression of ghost Pick bodies and amyloid P-positive astrocytes were found. We also review the literature on early-onset Pick's disease. A 34-year-old man showed personality change including stereotypical behavior. Muscle rigidity and spasticity developed later, and he died twelve years after the onset of his illness. The brain showed lobar cerebral atrophy prominent in the temporal lobe, and to a lesser degree in the prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex. The substantia nigra displayed profound degeneration whereas the head of the caudate nucleus and the putamen were not so seriously affected because the neurons were preserved and only slight astrocytic proliferation was seen. Many Pick bodies were found in the hippocampal formation, and ballooned neurons (Pick cells) were dispersed throughout the cerebral cortex, subcortical grey matter and hippocampal formation. The affected white matter exhibited severe fibrillary gliosis, and numerous astrocytes positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein and microglial cells positive for CR3/43 were found in the atrophied cortical lesions. The intraneuronal Pick bodies expressed ubiquitin, neurofilament and tau, and KP1 distinctly stained ghost Pick bodies. Tau-positive astrocytes were found in the striatum, hippocampal formation, pontine tegmentum, substantia nigra and affected frontotemporal cortices. These astrocytes were also positive for amyloid P. Extensive search of the literature on early-onset Pick's disease disclosed only a few cases with selective nigral degeneration, and we failed to find any differences in duration, progression of the illness and the extent of subcortical gray matter involvement between cases of early-onset and presenile onset of Pick' s disease. We conclude that the striatopallidal and nigral system can be affected independently in Pick's disease and report new immunohistochemical findings.

Adult↗