Sodium ascorbate potentiates the growth inhibitory effect of certain agents on neuroblastoma cells in culture

Mouse neuroblastoma (NB) cells in culture were more sensitive to sodium L-ascorbate than were rat glioma cells by the criterion of growth inhibition (due to cell death and reduction in cell division). Sodium L-ascorbate at nonlethal concentrations potentiated the effect of 5-fluorouracil (FUra), x-irradiation, bleomycin, RO20-1724, prostaglandin E1, and sodium butyrate on NB cells but did not produce such an effect on glioma cells. Sodium L-ascorbate did not enhance the effect of vincristine, 6-thioguanine, or 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) except at higher drug doses and it reduced the cytotoxic effect of methotrexate and 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC) on NB cells. Sodium D-ascorbate produced effects similar to those produced by sodium L-ascorbate on NB cells. L-Ascorbic acid-2-sulfate (barium salt) affected neither the growth rate nor the effect of 5-FUra on NB cells. Glutathione, a reducing agent, was more toxic to NB cells in comparison to D- OR L-ascorbate; however, at a similar concentration it failed to potentiate the effect of 5-FUra on NB cells.

Effect of sodium butyrate in combination with prostaglandin E1 and inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase on human amelanotic melanoma cells in culture

Sodium butyrate and cyclic AMP-stimulating agents (prostaglandin E1, papaverine, theophylline, and RO20-1724) caused reductions in the cell number (primarily due to reduction in cell division) when added individually to human melanoma cells in culture. However, the combination of sodium butyrate with one of the cyclic AMP-stimulating agents produced a marked reduction in cell number (primarily due to cell death).

Electrocoagulation biopsy of aberrant pancreas of the stomach. A case of aberrant gastric pancreas

Histopathological diagnosis of submucosal tumors of the stomach has been difficult by conventional examination, e.g. roentgenography, gastroscopy and/or routine biopsy procedure. When endoscopic diagnosis of submucosal tumor is made, surgery is generally performed for tissue biopsy. We have been attempting to avoid such exploratory laparotomy to determine the histologic nature of small asymptomatic submucosal tumors of the stomach by a technic of endoscopic biopsy followed by electrocoagulation. With such a procedure, we have been able to diagnose a case of aberrant pancreas of the stomach. Our experience suggests that this technic is a safe and useful diagnostic tool.

Mixed mesodermal tumor of the uterine body: relationship between histology and survival

A clinico-pathological study of 20 cases of mixed mesodermal tumor of the uterine body is reported. Fifteen tumors were found after menopause. The mean age of all cases was 55.5 years. Histologically, mixed mesodermal tumors consisted of two different components; epithelial and sarcomatous patterns, in 18 cases. Mixed mesodermal tumors in four of the 18 cases had no adenocarcinomatous elements but showed a benign glandular structure. In the remaining two tumors, epithelial patterns were absent and only heterologous sarcomatous elements were found. Ten of the patients had received hysterectomy more than five years ago. Three of these patients, having no malignant but benign epithelial component, showed a relatively good prognosis. Adenocarcinomatous elements were found in six cases, and four patients with carcinomatous elements had poor prognosis. It can be stated that the prognosis of mixed mesodermal tumor chiefly depends on the malignancy of epithelial components, when comparing the prognosis of the tumors at the same clinical stage. On the other hand, sarcomatous elements are not likely to reflect the prognosis of the tumors. Mixed mesodermal tumor is monodermal in origin, namely, mesodermal origin, and might arise from the Muellerian duct or more primitive mesodermal tissue.

Qualitative abnormality of insulin secretion in a case with insulinoma

We have presented here a case of atypical insulinoma. Despite the recurrent episodes of hypoglycemic symptoms, the plasma level of insulin has never been excessive at fasting or by regular provocative tests. Detailed examination had demonstrated qualitative abnormality of insulin secretion. Hyposuppressibility of insulin secretion by hypoglycemia, borderline diabetic curve of glucose tolerance test, blunted response ot insulin to glucagon and leucine were the principle characteristics of these abnormalities. After removal of adenoma, insulin response to glucose, glucagon and leucine was improved. Only secretion provoked a high level of insulin and this abnormal elevation was no longer seen after the removal of adenoma. A removed elevation was no longer seen after the removal of adenoma. A removed insulinoma contained 25 U of immunoreactive insulin per gram tissue, but was negative for aldehyde-fuchsin staining. On electromicroscopy only atypical beta-cell granules were seen.