Role of NF-κB and cytokine in experimental cancer cachexia

AIM: To assess the putative involvement of NF-κB and proinflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia and the therapeutic efficacy of indomethacin (IND)on cachexia.METHODS: Thirty young male BABL/c mice were divided randomly into five groups: (a) control, (b) tumor-bearing murine were inoculated subcutaneously to induce cachexia.Saline and IND were given intraperitoneally daily for 7 days from the onset of cachexia to sacrifice. Food intake and body composition were documented, serum levels of TNFα and IL-6 and activity of NF-κB in the spleen were investigated in all animals.RESULTS: Weight loss was observed in all tumor-bearing mice. By day 16, body weights of non-tumor mice were about 72 % of healthy controls (P＜0.01), and the weight of gastrocnemius was decreased by 28.7 % (P＜0.01). No difference was found between groups in food intake (P＞0.05).Gastrocnemius weight was increased markedly (P＜0.01)body weights were not significantly elevated. Tumor-bearing caused a 2-3 fold increase in serum levels of both TNF-αand IL-6 (P＜0.01). The concentration of TNF-α (P＜0.05)and IL-6 (P＜0.01) in tumor-bearing mice was reduced after of IL-6 was slightly elevated following treatment of IND 2.0tumor-bearing mice in comparison with controls in electrophoretic mobility shift assay (ENSA). NF-κB activity a higher NF-κB activity was observed in mice treated with CONCLUSION: Colon 26 adenocarcinoma cells can induce severe cancer cachexia experimentally, and the mechanism may be partially due to the enhanced TNF-αand IL-6 in tumor-bearing animals, which is controlled by NF-κB. Low dose of indomethacin alleviates the cachexia,decreases the activation of NF-κB and the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, and prevents body weight loss and muscle atrophy, while no further effect is gained by a higher dosage.

Catheter-related infection in gastrointestinal fistula patients

AIM: To study the incidence, bacterial spectrum and drug sensitivity of catheter-related infection (CRI) in gastrointestinal fistula patients.METHODS: A total of 216 patients with gastrointestinal fistulae during January 1998 to April 2001 were studied retrospectively. Two hundred and sixteen catheters of the 358 central venous catheters used in 216 gastrointestinal fistula patients were sent for microbiology analysis.RESULTS: Ninety-five bacteria were cultivated in 88 catheters (24.6%). There were 54 Gram-negative bacteria(56.8%), 35 Gram-positive bacteria (36.8%), and 6 fungi(6.4%). During the treatment of CRI, 20 patients changed to use antibiotics or antifungal, and all patients were cured.The mean time of catheters used was 16.9+13.0 d.CONCLUSION: CRI is still the common complication during total parenteral nutrition (TPN) treatment in patients with gastrointestinal fistulae, and Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogens, and bacterial translocation is considered the common reason for CRI.

Pharmacology and Clinical Application of Plants in Epimedium L.

Herba Epimediiis widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for ＂strengthening the kidney＂ and ＂reinforcing bone＂ for a long time in China and other Asian countries. In this study, based on the large number of domestic and international references and research results, the authors reviewed pharmacological effects and the clinical application of species in genus Epimedium L. Meanwhile, chemical conversion and biotransformation of the major active compounds during the processing of the plants in EpimediumL. and their metabolism in vivowere summarized. This provides a guidance for the application and development in clinical therapy in the future.