Comparison between chondroprotective effects of glucosamine, curcumin, and diacerein in IL-1beta-stimulated C-28/I2 chondrocytes

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of glucosamine (GlcN), curcumin, and diacerein in immortalized human C-28/I2 chondrocytes at the cellular and the gene expression level. This study aimed to provide insights into the proposed beneficial effects of these agents and to assess the applicability of the C-28/I2 cell line as a model for the evaluation of chondroprotective action.

METHODS

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-stimulated C-28/I2 cells were cultured in the presence of GlcN, curcumin, and diacerein prior to the evaluation of parameters such as viability, morphology and proliferation. The impact of GlcN, curcumin, and diacerein on gene expression was determined using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qPCR).

RESULTS

At the transcriptional level, 5 mM GlcN and 50 microM diacerein increased the expression of cartilage-specific genes such as aggrecan (AGC) and collagen type II (COL2), while reducing collagen type I (COL1) mRNA levels. Moreover, the IL-1beta-mediated shift in gene expression pattern was antagonized by GlcN and diacerein. These effects were associated with a significant reduction in cellular proliferation and the development of chondrocyte-specific cell morphology. In contrast, curcumin was not effective at lower concentrations but even damaged the cells at higher amounts.

CONCLUSIONS

Both GlcN and diacerein promoted a differentiated chondrocytic phenotype of immortalized human C-28/I2 chondrocytes by altering proliferation, morphology, and COL2/COL1 mRNA ratios. Moreover, both agents antagonized inhibitory effects of IL-1beta by enhancing AGC and COL2 as well as by reducing COL1 mRNA levels.

Disposition and pharmacokinetics of temozolomide in rat

1. Temozolomide, an imidazotetrazine derivative, is a cytotoxic alkylating agent of broad-spectrum antitumour activity. The absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion of temozolomide have been investigated in male and female Sprague-Dawley and Long-Evans rats following single oral or intravenous dose administration of 200 mg m(-2) non-radiolabelled or (14)C-radiolabelled temozolomide. The distribution of (14)C-temozolomide was also evaluated by whole-body autoradiography in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma concentrations of temozolomide and its active metabolite 3-methyl-(triazen-1-yl)imidazole-4-carboxamide (MTIC) were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ultraviolet detection. Plasma, urine and faeces were profiled by HPLC with radiochemical detection. 2. Temozolomide was rapidly and extensively (>90%) absorbed and widely distributed in tissues. The distribution pattern of radioactivity was gender independent. Penetration into the brain following oral or intravenous administration was 35-39% based on the brain/plasma AUC ratio. 3. Following intravenous or oral administration, temozolomide was primarily eliminated renally (75-85% of the dose) as either unchanged drug, a carboxylic acid analogue, AIC (a degradation product) and a highly polar unidentified peak. Biliary excretion was minimal (1.4-1.6%). The pharmacokinetics (oral versus intravenous) were similar and gender independent. The absolute oral availability was 96-100%. Temozolomide was rapidly eliminated (t(1/2) = 1.2 h) and converted to MTIC. 4. Systemic exposure to MTIC was about 2% that of temozolomide. Overall, the disposition of temozolomide in rats was similar to that observed in humans.

[Results of German "Men's Health Awareness Days" in 2006]

Of visitors to the Men's Health Awareness Days (Männergesundheitstage) in different German cities, 2,200 were asked to answer a standardised questionnaire about the quality of the information presented. Fifty-one per cent of the visitors answered; of those 80% gave mainly positive feedback, especially for a walk-through prostate model and for the presentations and discussions. Visitors represented only partial groups concerning age (64 years on average), existing prostate disease (51%), and participation in examinations for early detection (cancer screening). Therefore, many of the visitors did not represent the target group (healthy and under 60 years old). Qualified urologists could make better use of consultations by informing patients about local or general information events such as these. As men are burdened with multiple health risks, future Health Days should make use of interdisciplinary schemes.

[1-(11)C]acetate uptake is not increased in renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of [1-(11)C]acetate (AC) as a metabolic tracer for renal cell cancer in human subjects.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with suspected kidney tumours were investigated with AC and dynamic PET. AC uptake was scored on a five-step scale. Tumour localisation was known from CT/MRI. Histology was available in 18/21 patients. The results in these 18 patients are reported.

RESULTS

AC uptake by the tumour was less than (n=11), equal to (n=5) or higher than (n=2) uptake in the surrounding renal parenchyma. Histological tumour types showed a typical distribution, with a predominance of clear cell carcinomas (n=14) and only a small number of papillary cell carcinomas (n=2) and oncocytomas (n=2). Only the benign oncocytomas were highly positive with AC.

CONCLUSION

In most kidney tumours the AC accumulation was not higher than in normal kidney parenchyma. Therefore, AC PET cannot be recommend for the characterisation of a renal mass.

Lectin binding studies on C-28/I2 and T/C-28a2 chondrocytes provide a basis for new tissue engineering and drug delivery perspectives in cartilage research

The present study was performed to evaluate the applicability of plant lectins as mediators of bioadhesion in cartilage research using human chondrocyte cell lines C-28/I2 and T/C-28a2. The bioadhesive properties of fluorescein-labelled lectins with different carbohydrate specificities were investigated by flow cytometry. Specificity of the lectin-cell interactions was ascertained by competitive inhibition using complementary carbohydrates. As compared to that of other lectins, the interaction between wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and chondrocytic cells was characterised by remarkable cytoadhesion, adequate binding strength and a high degree of specificity for N-acetyl-glucosamine as contained in hyaluronan chains. We therefore suggest WGA to be a promising candidate for mediating bioadhesion to low-adhesive scaffolds in cartilage tissue engineering. Moreover, the WGA-association rate of C-28/I2 and T/C-28a2 cells was dependent on temperature indicating cellular uptake of membrane-bound WGA. Intracellular enrichment was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Equilibration of intracellular pH gradients with monensin resulted in the reversal of quenching effects indicating accumulation of WGA within acid compartments of chondrocytic cells. Thus, WGA might be internalised into chondrocytes together with hyaluronan via the CD44 receptor-mediated endocytosis pathway and accumulated within lysosomes. This physiological process could represent a feasible pathway to target WGA-functionalised drug delivery devices into chondrocytes.

Sex Differences in Semantic Processing: Event-Related Brain Potentials Distinguish between Lower and Higher Order Semantic Analysis during Word Reading

Behavioral studies suggest that women and men differ in the strategic elaboration of verbally encoded information especially in the absence of external task demand. However, measuring such covert processing requires other than behavioral data. The present study used event-related potentials to compare sexes in lower and higher order semantic processing during the passive reading of semantically related and unrelated word pairs. Women and men showed the same early context effect in the P1-N1 transition period. This finding indicates that the initial lexical-semantic access is similar in men and women. In contrast, sexes differed in higher order semantic processing. Women showed an earlier and longer lasting context effect in the N400 accompanied by larger signal strength in temporal networks similarly recruited by men and women. The results suggest that women spontaneously conduct a deeper semantic analysis. This leads to faster processing of related words in the active neural networks as reflected in a shorter stability of the N400 map in women. Taken together, the findings demonstrate that there is a selective sex difference in the controlled semantic analysis during passive word reading that is not reflected in different functional organization but in the depth of processing.

Bicalutamide (Casodex) 150 mg plus standard care in early non-metastatic prostate cancer: results from Early Prostate Cancer Trial 24 at a median 7 years' follow-up

Trial 24, one of three ongoing trials in the Early Prostate Cancer programme, is evaluating the efficacy and tolerability of bicalutamide (Casodex) 150 mg following standard care (radiotherapy, radical prostatectomy or watchful waiting) in patients with early, non-metastatic prostate cancer. At 7 years' median follow-up, addition of bicalutamide significantly improved objective progression-free survival (PFS) for patients with locally advanced disease, reducing the risk of progression by 34% versus standard care alone (hazard ratio 0.66; 95% confidence interval 0.55, 0.79; P<0.001). In localized disease, a significant difference in objective PFS was not found. There was no significant difference in overall survival.

The Role of Toll-like Receptors in the Immune-Adrenal Crosstalk

Sepsis and septic shock remain major health concerns worldwide, and rapid activation of adrenal steroid release is a key event in the organism's first line of defense during this form of severe illness. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical in the early immune response upon bacterial infection, and recent data from our lab demonstrate a novel link between the innate immune system and the adrenal stress response mediated by TLRs. Glucocorticoids and TLRs regulate each other in a bidirectional way. Bacterial toxins acting through TLRs directly activate adrenocortical steroid release. TLR-2 and TLR-4 are expressed in human and mice adrenals and TLR-2 deficiency is associated with an impaired glucocorticoid response. Furthermore, TLR-2 deficiency in mice is associated with marked cellular alterations in adrenocortical tissue. TLR-2-deficient mice have an impaired adrenal corticosterone release following inflammatory stress induced by bacterial cell wall compounds. This defect appears to be associated with a decrease in systemic and intraadrenal cytokine expression. In conclusion, TLRs play a crucial role in the immune-adrenal crosstalk. This close functional relationship needs to be considered in the treatment of inflammatory diseases requiring an intact adrenal stress response.

Plasticity in the adult language system: a longitudinal electrophysiological study on second language learning

Event-related potentials (ERPs) were used to trace changes in brain activity related to progress in second language learning. Twelve English-speaking exchange students learning German in Switzerland were recruited. ERPs to visually presented single words from the subjects' native language (English), second language (German) and an unknown language (Romansh) were measured before (day 1) and after (day 2) 5 months of intense German language learning. When comparing ERPs to German words from day 1 and day 2, we found topographic differences between 396 and 540 ms. These differences could be interpreted as a latency shift indicating faster processing of German words on day 2. Source analysis indicated that the topographic differences were accounted for by shorter activation of left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) on day 2. In ERPs to English words, we found Global Field Power differences between 472 and 644 ms. This may due to memory traces related to English words being less easily activated on day 2. Alternatively, it might reflect the fact that--with German words becoming familiar on day 2--English words loose their oddball character and thus produce a weaker P300-like effect on day 2. In ERPs to Romansh words, no differences were observed. Our results reflect plasticity in the neuronal networks underlying second language acquisition. They indicate that with a higher level of second language proficiency, second language word processing is faster and requires shorter frontal activation. Thus, our results suggest that the reduced IFG activation found in previous fMRI studies might not reflect a generally lower activation but rather a shorter duration of activity.

Are Bone Scans Necessary in Men With Low Prostate Specific Antigen Levels Following Localized Therapy?

PURPOSE

The prostate specific antigen level at which to recommend a bone scan after treatment of early prostate cancer is controversial. We identified the incidence of bone metastases at varying prostate specific antigen levels in asymptomatic men following radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy and watchful waiting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were obtained from the Early Prostate Cancer trial comparing placebo with bicalutamide in addition to standard care for localized prostate cancer. As part of the trial patients were required to have routine bone scans regardless of prostate specific antigen levels. The prostate specific antigen levels were divided into subgroups and the incidence of positive bone scans was calculated for each group.

RESULTS

The incidence of positive bone scans in patients treated with watchful waiting and given bicalutamide or placebo was low (0.7% to 3.2%) at prostate specific antigen levels less than 20 ng/ml. At greater than this level the sample sizes were smaller but there was a significant increase in the incidence of positive bone scans. In the groups treated with radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy, regardless of the addition of bicalutamide, the incidence of positive bone scans was low (0.2% to 1.4%) at prostate specific antigen levels less than 5 ng/ml. The sample sizes were smaller at prostate specific antigen levels greater than 5 ng/ml so the results are harder to interpret.

CONCLUSIONS

Bone scans can be confidently eliminated in the followup of patients with early prostate cancer after standard care of those with prostate specific antigen levels less than 5 ng/ml. This level can be increased to 20 ng/ml with caution in those patients treated with watchful waiting.

Effectiveness of zoledronic acid for the prevention of bone metastases in high risk prostate cancer patients: A randomised, open label, multicenter study of the European Association of Urology (EAU) in cooperation with the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group (SPCG) and the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Urologische Onkologie (AUO). An initial report of the “ZEUS” study

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Background: Patients with advanced prostate cancer (PC) are at high risk of developing bone metastases resulting in clinically significant skeletal morbidity and debilitating bone pain. Zoledronic acid (ZA) significantly reduced the incidence and delayed the onset of skeletal complications and provided durable pain reduction compared with placebo in patients with PC metastatic to bone. Methods: We started a European study investigating the effect of ZA in the prevention of PC bone metastases in patients with high risk PC. This prospective, multi-centre, randomised, open-label study, the ZA EUropean Study (ZEUS), aims at randomising 1300 patients within 3 years in 13 European countries and Turkey. Patients are randomised for standard PC therapy plus 4 mg ZA intravenously every 3 months for a period of 48 months or standard PC therapy alone. Results: Presently, we have randomised 484 patients with a mean age of 67 years (range 45–86) in 13 countries. All patients had at least one of the following high risk prognostic factors: 281 (58%) patients had a PSA ≥ 20 ng/ml, 140 (29%) patients had lymphnode positive disease and 286 (59%) patients had a Gleason of 8–10. 124 (26%) patients had a PSA ≥ 20 ng/ml and a Gleason of 8–10; 60 (12%) patients had a PSA ≥ 20 ng/ml and N1 disease and 64 (13%) patients had a Gleason of 8–10 and N1 disease. 244 (50%) patients underwent a prior prostatectomy or radiotherapy with curative intent and 303 (63%) patients received hormonal treatment. The randomisation arms were equally distributed amongst prognostic groups, centres and countries. Conclusions: The ZEUS study is designed to evaluate if ZA can contribute in preventing or delaying bone metastases in high risk PC patients. Presently, the majority (59%) of patients have a Gleason of 8–10 or a PSA ≥ 20 ng/ml (58%) and they receive hormonal treatment (63%). Half (50%) of the patients underwent a prior prostatectomy or radiotherapy with curative intent. This is representative for the PC population that is at high risk for developing bone metastases.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Influence of bevacizumab on the plasma disposition of CPT 11 and its metabolites in advanced colorectal cancer patients

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Background: The monoclonal antibody (mab) bevacizumab (BEV) inhibits VEGF, downregulates angiogenesis and lowers interstitial pressure, by which blood tissue transfer and metabolism of a drug could be modulated. CPT 11 produced survival benefit combined with BEV and undergoes complex biotransformation by different enzymatic routes: carboxylesterase hCE2 (SN 38), UGT1A1 (detoxificition to SN 38 glucuronide) and CYP 3A4 (APC), the latter enzyme has been described to be reversibly inhibited by mabs. Therefore it seems worthwhile to investigate a potential influence of BEV on plasma disposition and pharmacokinetics (PK) of CPT11 and metabolites. Methods: 10 pts with advanced colorectal cancer (5 first line, 5 second line after FOLFOX) were treated by FOLFIRI schedule (with CPT 11 180 mg/m2 1HR infusion) preceeded by BEV 5 mg/kg (90–60–30 min infusion) every 2 weeks. At cycle 1, CPT 11 was applied before BEV to allow baseline PK analysis of CPT 11 and its metabolites, at cycle 4 (i.e. after 8 weeks) determination of CPT 11 plasma conc was repeated after a 30 min infusion of BEV. Plasma samples were collected every 30 min over 4 HR and analysed by HPLC. Results: PK of CPT 11 remained unaffected by BEV, only a small decrease in cmax and AUC was found. Contrary, SN 38 formation seemed to be delayed and formation rate decreased when combined with BEV, resulting in lower cmax (-24%) and AUC (-20%). SN 38 glucuronide levels were generally found to be higher than those of SN 38, cmax and AUC reduced by 35% when BEV was preadministered. A similar effect was also observed in PK parameters of APC (about 30% reduction of cmax and AUC). Conclusion: A changed plasma disposition of all 3 metabolites - generated by 3 different enzymatic pathways - is unlikely to be caused by BEV influencing CPT 11 metabolism. The observed effect could be explained by increased blood tissue transfer, alteration of microvasculature by BEV may favour tissue uptake of the drug.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Therapieoptionen beim hormonrefraktären Prostatakarzinom

For a long time, hormone-refractory prostate cancer was regarded as a chemoresistant tumor. The introduction of taxanes has prompted a change in this opinion. For the first time treatment with 75 mg/m(2) docetaxel every 3 weeks has evidenced a survival benefit in a phase III trial (median survival of 18.9 months versus 16.5 months with mitoxantrone). Further advantages were improved pain reduction and quality of life. Neutropenia was foremost among the side effects. Docetaxel is currently the standard treatment for hormone-refractory prostate cancer. The morbidity of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer is influenced by bone metastases. Pain is a prominent feature. Skeletal complications are frequent. Therapy with 4 mg zoledronic acid reduced skeletal complications significantly in comparison to placebo. The most pronounced effect is the reduction of pathological fractures. Side effects include flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, and edemas. Zoledronic acid also belongs to the standard treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer with bone metastases.

[Interdisciplinary recommendations concerning the therapy for hormone-refractory prostatic carcinoma]

Therapy with Docetaxel for hormone-refractory prostatic carcinoma has for the first time led to an increase in the survival time. Docetaxel has become established as a standard therapy for his indication. Since hormone-refractory prostatic carcinoma is not uniformly defined and is thus for prognosis not a homogeneous entity, the prospects at the start of chemotherapy are uncertain. In the summer of 2005 these questions were addressed in an interdisciplinary consensus conference. It was agreed that the 3-week scheme with 75 mg/m (2) as standard and the indication for symptomatic patients were above question. Opinions differed with regard to the use of chemotherapy in asymptomatic patients. In addition, recommendations for the performance and monitoring of the therapy were formulated.

Bridging the gap--biocompatibility of microelectronic materials

There is an increasing interest in cell-based microelectronic biosensors for high-throughput screening of new products from the biotech pipeline. This requires fundamental knowledge of the biocompatibility of the materials used as the growing support for the cells. Using monolayer-forming Caco-2 cells of human origin, the biocompatibility of silicon wafers coated with various metals, dielectrics and semiconductors was assessed. Besides microscopic inspection, proliferation of cells indicating viability as well as brush border enzyme activity indicating differentiation of adherent growing cells were chosen as parameters to estimate biocompatibility. The type of wafer used for deposition of the coating initially influences the biocompatibility of the final product. Whereas p-doped silicon was fully biocompatible, n-doped silicon reduced the proliferation of cells. Among the different coatings, Al and Ti even increased the cell growth as compared to glass. Culturing the cells for 6 days on coated wafers demonstrated that the differentiation of adhering cells on Ti- and ZrO2-coated wafers was comparable to glass, whereas coatings with Si3N4, Au, Al, and ITO reduced differentiation to 15-35%. In the cases of Au and Si3N4 this effect equilibrated with prolonged culturing. These results demonstrate the importance of a careful selection of the materials used for the production of cell-based biosensors.

[Acute abdominal pain due to a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt metastasis of an intracranial germ cell tumor]

INTRODUCTION

Extracranial metastases of pineal germinomas are rare.

CASE REPORT

The case of a metastasis of a primary intracranial germ cell tumor via a temporary-ventriculo-peritoneal shunt as a cause of acute abdominal pain is reported. The germ cell tumor markers were useful in establishing the diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

With an appropriate clinical history, intra-abdominal metastases via a temporary ventriculo-peritoneal shunt should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal pain.

Risks and benefits of hormonal manipulation as monotherapy or adjuvant treatment in localised prostate cancer

A round table meeting was held to discuss the role of hormonal therapy in localised prostate cancer. The findings of the group were that immediate hormonal therapy does not provide an overall survival advantage in localised and locally advanced prostate cancer. Bicalutamide can prolong disease free survival in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, however it is important to underline that at this time it has not been shown to influence disease specific nor overall survival. It remains also unproven that early treatment is superior to treatment at progression. However, a trend towards decreased survival with bicalutamide was observed in low risk patients such as those with localised disease. In patients receiving bicalutamide, there were increased cardiovascular side-effects, in addition to the high incidence of gynaecomastia. Early hormonal therapy has to be balanced against such side-effects and the inevitable appearance of hormone refractory disease in patients who progress after hormonal therapy. Consequently, patients with localised, low risk disease are not considered appropriate candidates for hormonal therapy used either as mono-therapy or in the adjuvant setting.

Bicalutamide (‘Casodex’) 150 mg in addition to standard care in patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer: updated results from a randomised double-blind phase III study (median follow-up 5.1 y) in the early prostate cancer programme

Trial 24 is one of three placebo-controlled trials within the ongoing bicalutamide ('Casodex') Early Prostate Cancer (EPC) programme evaluating bicalutamide 150 mg/day in addition to radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy or watchful waiting for T1b-4, any N, M0 prostate cancer. In Trial 24, at 5.1 y median follow-up, the addition of bicalutamide significantly (P < 0.0001) improved objective progression-free survival (PFS) and prostate-specific antigen PFS compared with standard care alone. There was no significant difference in overall survival (P = 0.746). In the context of the whole EPC programme, long-term bicalutamide is not appropriate for localised disease, yet provides advantages in delaying disease progression in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer.