Effect of extracts from eggs of Helix aspersa maxima and Helix aspersa aspersa snails on Caco-2 colon cancer cells

Background

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. Natural compounds, administered together with conventional chemotherapeutic agent(s) and/or radiotherapy, may be a novel element in the combination therapy of this cancer. Considering the anticancer properties of compounds derived from different tissues of various snail species confirmed earlier, the purpose of the present research was to evaluate the effect of extracts from eggs of Helix aspera maxima and Helix aspersa aspersa snails, and fractions of extracts containing particles of different molecular weights on Caco-2 human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods

The extracts and fractions were analyzed for antioxidant activity, phenols and total carbohydrates using colorimetric methods. Lipid peroxidation products and glutathione in eggs were also examined using these methods. Crude protein and fat in eggs were determined. Molecular weights of egg proteins and glycoproteins were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Astaxanthin, selected vitamins and amino acids in eggs were measured using liquid chromatography methods, and minerals by emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry or X-ray fluorescence. The action of extracts on the cell viability was determined by the MTT (methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) test, based on the mitochondrial oxidative activity, after 24 and 72 h of treatment. The influence of fractions on the cell viability was assayed after 24 h. The effect of extracts on the percentage of live and dead cells was evaluated by the trypan blue assay, in which live cells exclude trypan blue, while dead cells take up this dye, after 12, 24, 48 and 72 h of treatment. Their influence on the integrity of cell membranes was determined based on the activity of LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), released from damaged cells, after 24 and 72 h of treatment. Then, the effect of extracts on the content of lipid peroxidation products in cells was examined using colorimetric method, after 24 h of treatment. Their influence on types of cell death was determined by flow cytometry, after this time.

Results

The extracts and their fractions containing molecules <3 kDa decreased the cell viability, after 24 h of treatment. The extracts reduced the percentage of live cells (also after 48 h), increased the degree of cell membrane damage and the amount of lipid peroxidation products, induced apoptosis and reduced necrosis.

Conclusions

Antioxidants, phenols, lipid peroxidation products, anticancer peptides, restriction of methionine, appropriate ratio of essential amino acids to non-essential amino acids, vitamin D₃, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Mn, Zn, Se and other bioactive compounds comprised in the extracts and their additive and synergistic effects may have influenced Caco-2 cells. Natural extracts or the chemical compounds contained in them might be used in the combination therapy of colorectal cancer, which requires further research.

Geochemical studies of natural graphites by INAA determined trace element concentrations

An attempt to characterize natural graphites by their trace element content is reported. Ten samples of graphite of known deposits over the world are classified by their graphitization indices, ranging from 0.26 to 1.00, and analyzed for trace elements content. Results of neutron activation analysis of 28 evaluated elements, i.e. Na, Rb, Cs, Th, U, Cr, Fe, Co, As, Sb, Ag, Au, Se, Te, Zn, Hg, Zr, Hf, Ta, Sc, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb,Yb and Lu, are presented and briefly discussed.

Dexmedetomidine sedation for carotid endarterectomy

BACKGROUND

General anaesthesia and deep sedation during endarterectomy exclude direct contact with the patient, required for safe performance of the surgery. The aim of the study was to assess sedation with dexmedetomidine and its cardiovascular effects.

METHODS

Sixty-four adult patients, scheduled on internal carotid artery surgery under infiltration analgesia, were randomly divided to receive dexmedetomidine in the loading dose of 1 microg kg(-1) over 10 min, followed by 0.2 microg kg(-1) h(-1) continuous infusion (group D) or placebo (group P).The BIS score, heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were noted.

RESULTS

In the group D, during carotid artery clamping (CAC) mean BIS scores were lower, compared to the baseline and to the values recorded in the group P. The BIS scores in the group P did not differ from baseline. In the group D, we did not observe cardiovascular reactions that could be attributed to CAC; in the group P, MAP and HR increased during CAC, and returned to normal 10 min after clamp release. Significant decrease of HR was observed after 12 min of dexmedetomidine infusion, at 10 and 15 min after CAC in group D. Urapidil and fentanyl were administered more often in the placebo group.

CONCLUSIONS

The 0.2 microg kg(-1) h(-1) dexmedetomidine infusion, administered during carotid endarterectomy, secured cardiovascular stability and reduced the need for additional analgesia.

Opioid use determines success of videothoracoscopic splanchnicectomy in chronic pancreatic pain patients

OBJECTIVE

Videoscopic splanchnicectomy (VSPL) is a method of pain relief in chronic pancreatitis patients. Because this method is not equally effective in all patients, this study was designed to identify the factors determining the unfavorable results of VSPL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a non-randomized prospective case-controlled study designed to compare a group of patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis treated with VSPL (N = 48) versus a group of patients treated symptomatically (N = 42). The outcome was measured as the intensity of pain ailments [visual analog scale (VAS)-pain scale] and subjective satisfaction of the patients from the surgical treatment [Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Treatment Satisfaction (FACIT-TS)]. The predictive variables considered in this study were: age, sex, emotional status, social support (the two last variables were measured by subscales of quality-of-life questionnaire from the group of FACIT), history of previous surgical treatment, and opioid use for at least 3 months before VSPL. The follow-up was 18 months. Logistic regression was performed using dichotomized pain as outcome variable: high score more than 66.7 on VAS scale and low under 50 points on VAS scale 18 months after VSPL.

RESULTS

VSPL significantly reduced the pain ailments at all points of the study when compared to the control. However, the pain intensity at the end of the study was higher than directly after the surgery. In the patients treated with opioids before the surgery, the pain intensity was significantly higher than in the patients not using this group of drugs. Logistic regression revealed that opioid administration before VSPL was the most important predictor of high pain scores 18 months after the surgery.

CONCLUSION

When planning the VSPL in the treatment of pain in patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis, it is necessary to take into consideration the previous chronic use of opioids, as this variable can significantly influence poorer results of this surgical pain management.

One hundred and ten consecutive uncomplicated retroperitoneal videoscopic adrenalectomies--Polish multicentre study

AIM

The authors evaluate the effectiveness of videoscopic adrenalectomy (VA) for a variety of endocrine disorders.

METHODS

One hundred and ten consecutive videoscopic adrenalectomies performed from October 1995 till December 2000 were reviewed and followed up for adequacy of surgical treatment in 2 surgical departments. There were 79 females and 31 males included in the study. The mean age was 48.0 years (range 23-71 years). Indications for the operations were: phaeochromocytomas (n=5), aldosterone-producing adenomas (n=19), cortisol-producing adenomas (n=10), Cushing's disease (n=3) and non-secreting tumours (n=72).

RESULTS

There was no mortality and no morbidity both intraoperatively and in the postoperative course. In 8 cases conversion to open surgery was instituted - in 4 cases due to an unintended lesion of pertioneum without damage to the intraperitoneal organs. Mean operative time was 156 min (range 52-280 min), and estimated blood loss was 73 ml (range 20-300 ml). The average length of hospital stay was 2.9 days (range 2-7 days). None of the patients revealed either recurrence of hormonal hypersecretion or tumour mass in imaging studies during the follow-up period (range 1-34 months).

CONCLUSION

1. VA is recommended in patients with hormonally active tumours and in patients with benign adrenal masses of a diameter up to 6 cm. 2. VA is a safe and feasible procedure if performed by a team experienced in endocrine and endoscopic surgery. 3. VA is a procedure better than open adrenalectomy in management of small, non-malignant tumours because of the reduction of operative trauma.

[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy from the lateral retroperitoneal approach]

From April to November 1998 eleven patients (8 female and 3 male, mean age 48.5; range 23-69) with adrenal gland tumor underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy from the lateral retroperitoneal approach. Authors report their primary experience; introduce their own material and describe the operative technique of laparoscopic adrenalectomy from lateral retroperitoneal approach. Besides one case of Conn syndrome, all tumors were hormonally non-active. In 10 patients the adrenal masses were incidentally discovered during such imaging examination as abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography. All tumors were benign in postoperative histopathological examination. The localization was unilateral and suprarenal in all cases (7 right, 4 left). Both operation and postoperative course in all patients were uncomplicated. One conversion to "open" procedure had been performed due to laparoscopic equipment damage.