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Objectives Amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker (CCB), is one of the most common antihypertensive medicines in Japan. We evaluated whether the calcium channel blocker confers cardiac protection through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in male stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP). Methods Fifteen week-old rats were divided into 2 groups: amlodipine group (3 mg/kg/day, n = 5) and control group ( n = 5). Key findings The CCB lowered systolic blood pressure significantly ( P < 0.05). Plasma aldosterone concentration in the amlodipine group was remarkably lower than in the control group ( P < 0.05), but plasma renin activity and plasma angiotensin II concentration were not different between the two groups. The CCB also suppressed the mRNA expression of brain natriuretic peptide, transforminggrowth factor- β1, and fibronectin extracted from the left ventricle. Conclusions These results suggest that amlodipine attenuates cardiac damage by lowering plasma aldosterone concentration in hypertensive rats with developing arteriosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We aimed to determine the utility of Pipet Curet™ cytology (PCC) and Pipet Curet biopsy (PCB) for diagnosing uterine endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (EEC)., Methods: We divided 77 patients with EEC into two groups per Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grades: G1 (n = 44) and G2/3 (n = 33), and compared the diagnostic sensitivity of PCC, PCB, and PCC & PCB combined, retrospectively. Next, we investigated any diagnostic discordance between PCC-based and PCB-based diagnoses per FIGO grade group., Results: The diagnostic sensitivity of PCC, PCB, and the two modalities combined was significantly higher for G2/3 EECs than for G1 EECs (72.7% vs. 45.5%, p = 0.0209; 84.8% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.0434; and 93.9% vs.65.9%, p = 0.0046, respectively), likely due to more friable cancer cells in higher grade EEC cases. Among our 77 EEC patients, there were four patients (5.19%) with PCC-based concordant but PCB-based discordant results against EEC, in the G2/3 group predominantly. Diagnostic sensitivity of all cases increased from 72.7% (56/77) by PCB alone to 77.9% (60/77) by use of both modalities combined., Conclusion: Cytologic evaluation can reduce the number of false-negative histologic diagnoses. By providing complementary information, the two modalities combined from the Pipet Curet procedure would be valuable as a diagnostic method for EEC., (S. Karger AG, Basel.)

We report two cases of advanced low rectal cancer, with preoperative chemo-radiation therapy leading to a complete histological response. Case 1 was a 74-year-old male who was diagnosed as advanced low rectal cancer. Preoperative chemo-radiation (a total of 45 Gy radiation+oral 5'-DFUR 800 mg/day for 3 weeks) was performed. Then, 30 days after chemo-radiation, we conducted a low anterior resection with lymph node dissection. Histological examination revealed no residual cancer cells in the resected specimen. Case 2 was a 35-year-old male who was diagnosed as advanced low rectal cancer. Preoperative chemo-radiation (a total of 45 Gy radiation+5-FU 500 mg/day+CDDP 10 mg/day for 3 weeks) was performed. 28 days after chemo-radiation, we conducted an abdominoperineal resection with lymph node dissection and a partial resection of the liver. Histological examination revealed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the resected liver tissue, but a rectal tumor was replaced by scar tissue with no viable cells.

The arachidonic cascade involves three types of metabolic pathways; cyclo-oxygenase, lipoxygenase(LO), and cytochrome P450. The products of LO pathway participate in the pathogenesis of variety of disease such as allergic diseases and hypertension. In particular, 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid(12-HETE); product of 12-LO pathway, is concerned in the development of hypertension induced by angiotensin-II. In fact, several investigators have reported that 12-HETE has a critical role in hypertension and LO inhibitors have antihypertensive effects in experimental animals. And so, we can expect organ-protective effects of LO inhibitors as well as antihypertensive effects. Besides 12-LO, several investigators mentioned that 5- and 15-LO also have influences to cardiovascular systems. Therefore, we can expect further elucidation of the mechanism of 12-LO's participation in the organ damage and the clinical roles of 12-LO inhibitors to prevent from organ failure in future.