[Different effects of selenium on proliferation of human lung adenocarcinoma cells and human embryonic lung diploid cells in vitro]

After treating human lung adenocarcinoma cells by Na2SeO3 (1 microgram/ml) for 24 hours, its mitotic index decreased by 50%. The reduction rate was directly proportional to selenite concentration (1-5 micrograms/ml). In the meantime, the labelling index, growth rate and progression of the cell cycle were also inhibited. In contrast to the above observation, there was no marked change in the cell count, mitotic index, labelling index and the average silver granule number in the human embryonic lung diploid cells treated by Na2SeO3 (1-5 micrograms/ml) for 1-3 days. When human embryonic lung diploid cells were mix-cultured with human lung adenocarcinoma cells in the presence of 5 micrograms/ml Na2SeO3 for 24 hours, the former maintained a normal morphology, while the lung cancer cells showed heavily vacuolated cytoplasms and distorted nuclei.

Chymopapain-induced hypersensitivity following chemonucleolysis

This study describes the changes in chymopapain-specific IgE antibody levels in patients following chemonucleolysis with Chymodiactin. Using the ChymoFAST method, chymopapain-specific IgE values were studied in 91 patients prior to and for 2 months post-Chymodiactin chemonucleolysis. A total of 8.8% (17/91) developed IgE levels greater than or equal to 0.06 IU/ml. Those patients with detectable IgE levels prior to chemonucleolysis were more likely than those with nondetectable preinjection levels (36.4% versus 4%) to develop chymopapain-specific IgE levels greater than or equal to 0.06 IU/ml.

A preoperative chymopapain sensitivity test for chemonucleolysis candidates

A fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (ChymoFAST test) for the quantitation of chymopapain-specific IgE antibody concentration in human serum is described. The IgE antibody is recognized as the major immunologic mediator for anaphylactic reactions. Serum chymopapain-specific IgE levels serve as an objective screening method for identifying patients most likely to tolerate chymopapain, thereby minimizing associated risks. Preoperative sera obtained from 11,658 chemonucleolysis candidates were tested, of which 0.94% (110/11,658) were found to be positive. Good predictive values for both positive and negative findings are evident based on 4776 postmarketing surveillances obtained from the surgeons.