Influence of platelet activating factor on expression of adhesion molecules in experimental pancreatitis

AIM: To determine whether Platelet activating factor (PAF)has a regulation role in the expression of adhesion moleculesand accumulation of neutrophils in a murine model of acutepancreatitis.METHODS: One hundred twenty-eight Kunming mice weredivided into four groups. Group 1 received 0.1 mi saline s.c.every hour for three hours (sham). Group 2 received cerulein(50 μg/kg dose s.c.) every hour for three hours. Group 3received AP and additional challenge of PAF (50 rg/kg inabsolute ethanol) (AP/PAF). Group 4 received AP, plustherapeutic treatment with GAB (25 mg dose i.p.) immediatelyafter the first challenge of cerulein (AP/GAB). Animals weresacrificed at 12 h after the first challenge of saline or cerulein.Adhesion molecules of pancreas were semi-quantified bySP methods. Standard assays were performed for serumamylase and myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) of pancreas.Histology of pancreas was scored in a blind manner. Watercontent of pancreas was also measured at the same time.RESULTS: Control pancreata showed negligible adhesionmolecule expression and neutrophil accumulation. Therewere evident adhesion molecules expression and neutrophilaccumulation in AP and AP/PAF compared with sham (P＜0.05).AP/GAB had a lower level of adhesion molecules, neutrophils,and water content versus AP and AP/PAF (P＜0.05). Histologyshowed a trend toward improvement in AP/GAB, but didnot reach statistical significance.CONCLUSION: PAF can induce the expression of adhesionmolecules that mediate neutrophil accumulation. The PAFantagonist reduces the expression of adhesion moleculesand the severity of inflammation when given immediatelyafter the induction of mild AP in mice. These results suggestthat PAF antagonism may be useful in the treatment of mildpancreatitis after its clinical onset.

Prevention and therapy of fungal infection in severe acute pancreatitis:A prospective clinical study

AIM: To investigate the prevention and therapy of fungal infection in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).METHODS: Seventy patients with SAP admitted from Jan.1998 to Dec. 2002 were randomly divided into garlicin prevention group, fluconazole (low dosage) prevention group and control group. The incidence of fungal infection, the fungal clearance and mortality after treatment were compared.RESULTS: The incidence of fungal infection in garlicin group and fluconazole group was lower than that in control group (16 % vs30 %, P＜0.05 and 9 % vs30 %, P＜0.01,respectively). Amphotericin B or therapy-dose fluconazole had effects on patients with fungal infection in garlicin group and control group, but had no effects on patients with fungal infection in fluconzole group.CONCLUSION: Prophylactic dosage of antifungal agents (garlicin or low dosage fluconazole) can reduce the incidence of fungal infection in patients with SAR.But once fungal infection occurs, amphotericin B should be used as early as possible if fluconazole is not effective.

Effect of complex amino acid imbalance on growth of tumor in tumor-bearing rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of complex amino acid imbalance on the growth of tumor in tumor-bearing (TB) rats.METHODS: Sprague-Dawlley (SD) rats underwent jejunostomy for nutritional support. A suspension of Walker256 carcinosarcoma cells was subcutaneously inoculated.TB rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C and D according to the formula of amino acids in enteral nutritional solutions, respectively. TB rats received jejunal feedings supplemented with balanced amino acids (group A),methionine-depleted amino acids (group B), valine-depleted amino acids (group C) and methionine- and valine-depleted complex amino acid imbalance (group D) for 10 days. Tumor volume, inhibitory rates of tumor, cell cycle and life span of TB rats were investigated.RESULTS: The G0/G1 ratio of tumor cells in group D (80.5±9.0) % was higher than that in groups A, B and C which was 67.0±5.1 %, 78.9±8.5 %, 69.2±6.2 %, respectively (P＜0.05). The ratio of S/G2M and PI in group D were lower than those in groups A, B and C. The inhibitory rate of tumor in groups B, C and D was 37.2 %, 33.3 % and 43.9 %,respectively (P＜0.05). The life span of TB rats in group D was significantly longer than that in groups B, C, and A.CONCLUSION: Methionine/valine-depleted amino acid imbalance can inhibit tumor growth. Complex amino acids of methionine and valine depleted imbalance have stronger inhibitory effects on tumor growth.

Relationship between nuclear morphometry,DNA content and resectability of pancreatic cancer

AIM: To investigate the association of nuclear morphometry and DNA content with resectability of pancreatic cancer.METHODS: A total of 36 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were divided into resectable group and unresectable group. The nuclear morphometry and DNA contents of tumor cells were analyzed by IBAS autoimagine analyzer from paraffin-embedded materials. Localization size,histological type and grade, and clinical stage of the tumor were evaluated. Factors influencing resectability of pancreatic cancer were investigated using stepwise regression analysis.RESULTS: Statistical significance was found in nuclear DNA content (integrated optical density, IOD) of tumor cells (1.64±0.41 vs 2.96±0.55), DNA ploidy, ages (46.5±5.3 years vs 58.6±0.7 years) and tumor volumes (298.1±101.5 cm3 vs 634.7±512.5 cm3) in both groups (P＜0.05), and no difference was found in the nuclear morphometry (P＞0.05). The rates of diploid/tetraploid and aneuploid were 66.7 % and 33.3% in resectable group respectively, and 38.9 % and 62.1%in unresectable group, respectively (P＜0.05). IOD (X12), ploidy status (X13) and clinical stage (X3) were radical resectable indicators with statistical significance. The regression equation for resectability was Y=-9.2053+3.5428X12+2.5390X13-2.3001X3(RR=0.8780, P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: There is a high correlation between resectability of pancreatic cancers and their DNA contents,DNA ploidy status and clinical stage.