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Background/aim: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used and potent chemotherapeutic agent. However, serious dose-limiting toxicity through generation of free oxygen radicals is a commonly encountered clinical problem. The aim of the current study was to assess the protective role of onion (Allium cepa) extract (ACE) against DOX-induced hepatotoxicity in rats., Method: A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into 3 equal experimental groups: (1) DOX; (2) ACE + DOX; and (3) control groups. ACE was given orally as 1 mL of fresh ACE juice for 14 consecutive days followed by DOX injection. DOX was injected intraperitoneally in a single dose of 30 mg/kg body weight to induce hepatotoxicity, and the rats were killed after 48 h from injection. Control group was given saline only., Results: In the ACE pretreated group (ACE + DOX), serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and tissue malondialdehyde and glutathione levels were significantly lower, while superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were higher compared with the DOX group. The histopathological examination of liver specimens revealed parenchymal necrosis, proliferation of biliary duct in DOX group; while ACE pretreatment provided marked reduction in these changes., Conclusion: Our study indicates that pretreatment with ACE protects against DOX-induced hepatotoxicity due to the antioxidant properties of ACE. Further studies on efficacy of antioxidant treatment by ACE in DOX-mediated toxicity and underlying mechanisms would provide a better explanation., (© The Author(s) 2013.)

Abundant myxoid stroma rarely occurs in urothelial carcinomas, and may cause diagnostic challenges when cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm forming nests and cords in a myxoid background are seen, particularly in the absence of typical carcinomatous appearance. Microscopic examination of transurethral resection specimen of a 71-year-old male patient revealed non-cohesive oval or elongated tumor cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm arranged in cord-like filigree pattern in an abundant myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemically the tumor was positive for cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, and 34BE12. About 90 to 100% nuclear staining was observed with p63, p53, and Ki-67. A second neoplasm with a flat overlying urothelial epithelium and a complete inverted cellular growth pattern was also noted. The neoplasm exhibited less than 2% and 10% nuclear staining with Ki-67 and p53, respectively. Considering histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical findings, a diagnosis of synchronous urothelial carcinoma with abundant myxoid stroma and inverted papilloma was made.