Protein and non-protein sulfhydryls and disulfides in gastric mucosa and liver after gastrotoxic chemicals and sucralfate: Possible new targets of pharmacologic agents

AIM： To investigate the role of major non-protein and protein sulfhydryls and disulfides in chemically induced gastric hemorrhagic mucosal lesions （HML） and the mechanism of gastroprotective effect of sucralfate.METHODS： Rats were given 1 mL of 75% ethanol, 25%NaCl, 0.6 mol/L HCI, 0.2 mol/L NaOH or 1% ammonia solutions intragastrically （i.g.） and sacrificed 1, 3, 6 or 12 min later. Total （reduced and oxidized） glutathione （GSH ＋ GSSG）, glutathione disulfide （GSSG）, protein free sulfhydryls （PSH）, protein-glutathione mixed disulfides （PSSG） and protein cystine disulfides （PSSP） were measured in gastric mucosa and liver.RESULTS： Reduced glutathione （GSH） was depleted in the gastric mucosa after ethanol, HCI or NaCl exposure,while oxidized glutathione （GSSG） concentrations increased, except by HCI and NaOH exposure. Decreased levels of PSH after exposure to ethanol were observed,NaCl or NaOH while the total protein disulfides were increased. Ratios of reduced to oxidized glutathione or sulfhydrils to disulfides were decreased by all chemicals.No changes in thiol homeostasis were detected in the liver after i.g. abbreviation should be spelled out the first time here administration of ethanol. Sucralfate increased the concentrations of GSH and PSH and prevented the ethanol-induced changes in gastric mucosal thiol concentrations.CONCLUSION： Our modified methods are now suitable for direct measurements of major protein and nonprotein thiols/disulfides in the gastric mucosa or liver.A common element in the pathogenesis of chemically induced HML and in the mechanism of gastroprotective drugs seems to be the decreased ratios of reduced and oxidized glutathione as well as protein sulfhydryls and disulfides.

SCNH2 is a novel apelinergic family member acting as a potent mitogenic and chemotactic factor for both endothelial and epithelial cells

The gut hormone apelin is a major therapeutic focus for several diseases involving inflammation and aberrant cell growth. We investigated whether apelin-36 contained alternative bioactive peptides associated with normal physiology or disease. Amino acid sequence analysis of apelin-36 identified an amidation motif consistent with the formation of a secondary bioactive peptide (SCNH2). SCNH2 is proven to be mitogenic and chemotactic in normal/malignant cells and augments angiogenesis via a PTX-resistant/CT-X-sensitive G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). Notably, SCNH2 is substantially more potent and sensitive than apelin-13 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A. Endogenous SCNH2 is highly expressed in human tumors and placenta and in mouse embryonic tissues. Our findings demonstrate that SCNH2 is a new apelinergic member with critical pluripotent roles in angiogenesis related diseases and embryogenesis via a non-APJ GPCR.

Russell body duodenitis with immunoglobulin kappa light chain restriction

Russell bodies are eosinophilic intracytoplasmic globules which are likely the result of disturbed secretion of immunoglobulins that accumulate within the plasma cell. Russell body collections have been identified within the stomach, known as Russell body gastritis. Similar lesions within the duodenum are referred to as Russell body duodenitis, which is rare. Several Russell body gastritis case reports are associated with Helicobacter pylori. However, the etiology of Russell body duodenitis remains unclear. Here we report the first case of Russell body duodenitis with immunoglobulin light chain restriction in a background of peptic duodenitis.

Interval colorectal carcinoma:An unsolved debate

Colorectal carcinoma(CRC), as the third most common new cancer diagnosis, poses a significant health risk to the population. Interval CRCs are those that appear after a negative screening test or examination. The development of interval CRCs has been shown to be multifactorial: location of exam-academic institution versus community hospital, experience of the endoscopist, quality of the procedure, age of the patient, flat versus polypoid neoplasia, genetics, hereditary gastrointestinal neoplasia, and most significantly missed or incompletely excised lesions. The rate of interval CRCs has decreased in the last decade, which has been ascribed to an increased understanding of interval disease and technological advances in the screening of high risk individuals. In this article, we aim to review the literature with regard to the multifactorial nature of interval CRCs and provide the most recent developments regarding this important gastrointestinal entity.

Thrombocytopenia with multiple splenic lesions-histiocytic sarcoma of the spleen without splenomegaly: A case report

BACKGROUND Histiocytic sarcoma(HS)of the spleen is reported to be a rare and lethal disease.The clinicopathological features of splenic HS have not been well described.The objective of this paper is to describe the diagnosis and treatment of a case of this rare disease and provide a review of the literature.CASE SUMMARY In this article,we discuss the case of a 40-year-old Hispanic female who presented with progressive thrombocytopenia and multiple hypoechoic lesions in the spleen without splenomegaly.Positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed increased activity in cervical lymph nodes,as well as multiple bone and splenic lesions with positive uptake.Two bone marrow biopsies and fine-needle aspiration of the cervical lymph node were inconclusive.Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed,and gross examination showed a 110.1 g spleen with multiple rubbery,nodular lesions within the subcapsular sinus and splenic parenchyma.The microscopic findings showed multinodular histiocyte proliferation with atypia and multilobulated nuclei,which were positive for CD163,CD4,and CD68 by immunohistochemical analysis.The final pathologic diagnosis was difficult and was found to be low-grade HS of the spleen,after consultations with two renowned hematopathology institutions.At the patient’s five-month follow-up visit,her bone marrow metastasis had progressed.She is waiting to be enrolled in a clinical trial.CONCLUSION Pathologic diagnosis of splenic HS can be challenging.Low-grade differentiation may be associated with a slow progressive disease.

Changes in tumor-antigen expression profile as human small-cell lung cancers progress

Objective： Our group has previously observed that in patients with small-cell lung cancers （SCLCs）, the expression of a tumor antigen, glioma big potassium （gBK） ion channel, is higher at the time of death than when the cancer is first treated by surgical resection. This study aimed to determine whether this dichotomy was common in other potential lung tumor antigens by examining the same patient samples using our more extensive profile analysis of tumor-antigen precursor protein （TAPP）. We then tested the hypothesis that therapeutic intervention may inadvertently cause this increased gBK production. Methods： SCLC samples （eight surgical resections and three autopsy samples） and three control lungs were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for 42 potential TAPPs that represent potential T-cell-mediated immunological targets. Results： Twenty-two TAPP mRNAs displayed the same profile as gBK, i.e., more mRNAs were expressed at autopsy than in their surgical counterparts. B-cyclin and mouse double minute 2, human homolog of PS3-binding protein were elevated in both autopsy and surgical specimens above the normal-lung controls. When HTB119 cells were incubated with doxorubicin, gBK was strongly induced, as confirmed by intracellular flow cytometry with a gBK-specific antibody. Conclusion： Our findings suggested that more immunological targets became available as the tumor responded to chemotherapy and proceeded toward its terminal stages.

Duodenal polyposis secondary to portal hypertensive duodenopathy

Portal hypertensive duodenopathy(PHD) is a recognized, but uncommon finding of portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients. Lesions associated with PHD include erythema, erosions, ulcers, telangiectasia, exaggerated villous pattern and duodenal varices. However, duodenal polyposis as a manifestation of PHD is rare. We report a case of a 52-year-old man who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and was found with multiple small duodenal polyps ranging in size from 1-8 mm. Biopsy of the representative polyps revealed polypoid fragments of duodenal mucosa with villiform hyperplasia lined by reactive duodenal/gastric foveolar epithelium and underlying lamina propria showed proliferating ectatic and congested capillaries. The features were diagnostic of polyps arising in the setting of PHD.