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Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) possesses a protective potential against liver injury due to the presence of biologically active ingredients. Adult male albino rats were administrated PSO (per os, 2 mL/kg b.w./day) and a 12% ethanol solution in water, ad libitum, with an average intake of 8.14 g of ethanol/kg bw/day for 6 weeks. Congestion, hepatic central vein dilation, portal vein branch dilation, Kupffer cell hyperplasia, fatty liver changes, hepatocyte focal necrosis were observed after daily alcohol intake. All observed changes were reduced when PSO was ingested with ethanol. PSO intake itself induced discrete cellular edema, congestion and slight dilatation of the central and portal vain branches. Chronic ethanol intake elevated catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione reductase (GR) protein expression; concomitant PSO intake had no effect on CAT activity or GR protein expression. PSO intake decreased the activities of GR, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) in the liver, probably due to the ingestion of antioxidants. Intake of PSO and ethanol significantly decreased cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and increased NF-κB protein expression compared to ethanol intake, suggesting that the protective effects of PSO were mediated by the NF-κB signaling pathway. Our results reveal a therapeutic potential of PSO in alcoholic liver disease.

Background/Aim. Neuroendocrine (NE) cells are one of the epithelial populations in the prostate. It is well-known that the focal neuroendocrine differentiation (FNED) in prostate cancer (PC) is an aggressive subtype that most commonly evolves from preexisting PC which does not respond to hormone therapy (androgen independed PC). The incidence and clinical importance of FNED in PC is not clearly understood because of conflicting results in the studies, and evaluation of FNED is not routinely performed in clinical practice. The aim of the present study is to determine the importance of FNED presence in the examined prostate changes with special reference to the relationship of FNED degree in PC with some parameters of predictive value [Gleason score, preoperative serum total prostata specific antigen (PSA) value, tumor volume and tumor stage]. Methods. The study included the biopsy material from 100 untreated consecutive prostate pathological changes: 70 PC, 20 prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and 10 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The patients with PIN and BPH were the control groups. A block containing part of the main bulk of pathological change was chosen as representative based on hematoxylin-eosin appearance, and a section of this block was immunohistochemically stained for the tissue PSA (to mark prostatic secretory cells) and chromogranin A, serotonin and synaptophysin (to mark NE cells). Results. We found a very pronounced degree of FNED differentiation in 16 (22.9%) PC. Ten (62.5%) of them had Gleason score ≥ 7, the average serum PSA level was 32.62 ± 30.80 ng/mL, average tumor volume was 43.18 ± 31.45 mL and 6 (37.5%) of this PC were detected in D clinical stage with distant hematogenous metastases. The FNED is negatively correlated with the serum PSA level, Gleason score and clinical stage positively correlated with the tumor volume, but without statistically significant differences. Conclusion. The FNED has no significant role in the prognosis of PC.

We studied the effects of whey and pumpkin seed oil supplementation on the biochemical parameters in blood serum of male rats after chronic ad libitum alcohol consumption. The levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, ALP, LDH, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, triglyceride/HDL ratio, total cholesterol/HDL ratio (cholesterol ratio) and LDL/HDL ratio (index of atherosclerosis) were determined in rats after six weeks of treatment with: (i) ethanol (12% ethanol, ad libitum), (ii) whey (2 g/kg per day), (iii) pumpkin seed oil (2 mL/kg per day), (iv) both ethanol and whey, and (v) both ethanol and pumpkin seed oil. The results showed no changes in the levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin, ALP, total cholesterol, HDL and VLDL in alcoholic rats when compared to the controls (fed with a standard laboratory diet ad libitum) and rats supplemented with whey and pumpkin seed oil. Our results suggest that alcohol consumption in small doses for 6 weeks changes lipid metabolism and significantly elevates the LDL/HDL ratio (index of atherosclerosis) but does not induce extensive liver damage. Ethanol consumption in our experimental conditions lowered the triglyceride level as well as the triglyceride/HDL ratio, suggesting lipid redistribution and the induction of some cardio-protective effect. However, ethanol induced a higher index of atherosclerosis. Pumpkin seed oil showed some protective potential in alcoholic rats by lowering the total cholesterol/HDL ratio, but it elevated the LDH. Whey consumption prevented elevation of the atherosclerosis index, pointing to its protective role, probably through the redistribution of lipids. However, whey in combination with ethanol elevated LDH. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 173014 and Grant no. III41029]

Backgraund/Aim. The northern part of Kosovo was one of the largest lead and zinc production industries in Europe. Special attention has been paid to the landfill sites of these metals remained after past industrial activities. The inhabitants of Roma camps in this area are collecting led waste they process by crushing and melting in their shacks in primitively organized working environments. Because of all the aforementioned it was necessary to examine the concentration of blood lead level (BLL) in the children aged less than 6 years inhabiting this area, especially taking care of blood analysis of children living in Roma camps. Methods. The study was conducted in the municipality of Leposavić, Province Kosovo and Metohija, Serbia. Totally 78 subjects participated in the study. All the subjects were divided into two groups: the group I consisting of 42 children who lived in the Romas camp, and the group II with 36 children from a city kindergarten. Based on the mathematical model WRPLOT we found out that both groups of patients were in the low risk zone for industrial contamination exposure. Blood analysis was done according to the protocol provided by ESA Lead Care. Results. The average age of participants in the study was 4.60 ± 1.63 years. The mean BBL in the children from the group 1 was 19.11 μg/dL and from the group 2 4.87 μg/dL. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean values of BBL between the groups (U = 39, p < 0.001). All of the children from the group 1 had BBL greater than 5 μg/dL in comparison to 38.9% of the children from the group 2 (χ2 = 35.75, p < 0.001). Conclusion. Although both groups were located outside the zone of direct spread of pollution, the results indicate high concentrations of lead in blood of all the examined children. The concentration was higher in the children who lived in the area in which illegal processing of lead waste took place. [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. TR 37016]

Some medicinal features of olive leaf have been known for centuries. It has been traditionally used as an antimicrobial and to prevent and treat diabetes mellitus and heart disease. Whether olive leaf, a natural antioxidant, influences the gastric defense mechanism and exhibits gastroprotection against experimentally-induced gastric lesions remains unknown. In this study, the content of total phenols, total flavonoids and tannins in olive leaf extract (OLE) were determined. Seven phenolic compounds were identified and quantified (oleuropein, caffeic acid, luteolin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, quercetin, and chryseriol). Furthermore, the protective activity of the OLE in gastric mucosal injury induced by a corrosive concentration of ethanol was investigated. In relation to the control group, pretreatment with OLE (40, 80 and 120 mg kg-1) significantly (p < 0.001) attenuated the gastric lesions induced by absolute ethanol. The protective effect of the OLE was similar to that obtained with a reference drug, ranitidine. The results obtained indicate that OLE possesses significant gastroprotective activity, and that the presence of compounds with antioxidative properties would probably explain this effect.

Introduction. In some cases of multicystic forms of liver echinococcal disease, the advanced method for treatment of cystic echinococcosis faces great problems relating to the final outcome of the treatment. Case report. In May 2005, a computerized tomography of the abdomen obtained in a 27-year -old famale patient with abdominal pain revealed more than 20 echinococcal cysts measuring up to 6.7 cm in both lobes of the liver. Laboratory analyses found the value of eosinophils 6.8%, gamma globulins 29.9%, immunoglobulin E 29 600 IU/mL and the indirect hemagglutination for echinococcosis 1 : 8 196. The treatment started in December that year with the continuous administration of a daily dose of 800 mg (14.5 mg/kg body weight) of albendazole, but it was terminated two months later due to high serum transaminases values. By the end of 2006, the largest cyst detected in the left lobe of the liver had a diameter of 5.7 cm and the one in the right lobe of the liver measured 4.1 cm. There were lesions of germinative membrane found on both cysts. Six months later, praziquantel at daily dose of 2 500 mg (45.3 mg/kg body waight) was introduced into the therapy, but the treatment was terminated after eight days because of the development of exanthema. The computerized tomography of the abdomen obtained in February 2008 revealed the presence of a large number of echinococcal cysts in the liver. The largest among those cysts measured 3.5 cm while calcifications of the cyst walls were observed on some of them. None of the remaining therapeutic options for further treatmetnt of echinococcal disease could be applied. Conclusion. The presented case confirms medical therapy as the only option for the treatment of some forms of cystic echinococcosis. Benzimidazole carbamates (albendazole, mebendazole) and praziquantel are only efficacious antihelminitics currently available, and when they have to be withdrawn due to serious adverse offects, futher treatment of a patient with liver multicystic echinococcosis is impossible. Because of that there is a need to search for new and more efficient drugs for the treatment of ehinococcal disease.

Background/Aim. Modern treatment of cystic echinococcosis, except for surgical treatment and percutaneous drainage of cyst considers also administration of albendazole as a type of individual therapy. However, clinicians fear of the serious adverse effects of high doses of albendazole, first of all the elevation of serum transaminases activity, very frequently results in subdosing of albendazole and wrong conclusions its efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to investigate adverse effects of a longterm, continual administration of high doses of albendazole in the treatment of patients with echinococcal disease. Methods. A total of 42 patients (mean age 40.4 ± 18.3 years) with echinococcal disease were included in the study. They were treated with continual administration of high doses of albendazole within the period of 4 to 6 months. The subgroups of 27 and 15 patients were treated with 15-20 mg/kg/day and with 21-25 mg/kg/day albendazole, respectively. The patients in the control group (18 with surgical treatment, 6 with percutaneous drainage of cyst) were treated with 800 mg albendazole per day (< 15 mg/kg body weight) in the cycles of 28 days (1-3 cycles) and a two-week pause between them. Results. In the study group adverse effects of albendazole were registered in 20 (47.6%), whereas in the control group in 6 (30.0%) of the patients. In both subgroups elevated activity of serum transaminases were found more frequently in the study group compared to the control one (35.7% vs 25%, p < 0.05), especially in the patients who were treated with higher doses of albendazole. The patients in the study group, compared to the patients in the control group had significantly higher mean activity of serum alanin aminotransferase in the course of the second and third month of the therapy (p < 0.05). Administration of albendazole due to adverse effects was stopped in 3 (7.1%) of the patients in the study group. Two (4.8%) of them had a very high activity of serum transaminases and one had a muscle pains and high activity of serum creatine kinase. After the interruption of the therapy we documented a normalization of serum enzyme levels in all the patients. Conclusion. Longterm, continual administration of high doses of albendazole in the patients with echinococcal disease results in significant elevation of serum transaminases activity, compared to the patients treated with albendazole in the cycles, but in the majority of the patients serum transaminases activity was normalizated by the end of a 6-month period.

Introduction. In some cases of multicystic forms of liver echinococcal disease, the advanced method for treatment of cystic echinococcosis faces great problems relating to the final outcome of the treatment. Case report. In May 2005, a computerized tomography of the abdomen obtained in a 27-year -old famale patient with abdominal pain revealed more than 20 echinococcal cysts measuring up to 6.7 cm in both lobes of the liver. Laboratory analyses found the value of eosinophils 6.8%, gamma globulins 29.9%, immunoglobulin E 29 600 IU/mL and the indirect hemagglutination for echinococcosis 1 : 8 196. The treatment started in December that year with the continuous administration of a daily dose of 800 mg (14.5 mg/kg body weight) of albendazole, but it was terminated two months later due to high serum transaminases values. By the end of 2006, the largest cyst detected in the left lobe of the liver had a diameter of 5.7 cm and the one in the right lobe of the liver measured 4.1 cm. There were lesions of germinative membrane found on both cysts. Six months later, praziquantel at daily dose of 2 500 mg (45.3 mg/kg body waight) was introduced into the therapy, but the treatment was terminated after eight days because of the development of exanthema. The computerized tomography of the abdomen obtained in February 2008 revealed the presence of a large number of echinococcal cysts in the liver. The largest among those cysts measured 3.5 cm while calcifications of the cyst walls were observed on some of them. None of the remaining therapeutic options for further treatmetnt of echinococcal disease could be applied. Conclusion. The presented case confirms medical therapy as the only option for the treatment of some forms of cystic echinococcosis. Benzimidazole carbamates (albendazole, mebendazole) and praziquantel are only efficacious antihelminitics currently available, and when they have to be withdrawn due to serious adverse offects, futher treatment of a patient with liver multicystic echinococcosis is impossible. Because of that there is a need to search for new and more efficient drugs for the treatment of ehinococcal disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim. Modern treatment of cystic echinococcosis, except for surgical treatment and percutaneous drainage of cyst considers also administration of albendazole as a type of individual therapy. However, clinicians fear of the serious adverse effects of high doses of albendazole, first of all the elevation of serum transaminases activity, very frequently results in subdosing of albendazole and wrong conclusions its efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to investigate adverse effects of a longterm, continual administration of high doses of albendazole in the treatment of patients with echinococcal disease. Methods. A total of 42 patients (mean age 40.4 ± 18.3 years) with echinococcal disease were included in the study. They were treated with continual administration of high doses of albendazole within the period of 4 to 6 months. The subgroups of 27 and 15 patients were treated with 15-20 mg/kg/day and with 21-25 mg/kg/day albendazole, respectively. The patients in the control group (18 with surgical treatment, 6 with percutaneous drainage of cyst) were treated with 800 mg albendazole per day (< 15 mg/kg body weight) in the cycles of 28 days (1-3 cycles) and a two-week pause between them. Results. In the study group adverse effects of albendazole were registered in 20 (47.6%), whereas in the control group in 6 (30.0%) of the patients. In both subgroups elevated activity of serum transaminases were found more frequently in the study group compared to the control one (35.7% vs 25%, p < 0.05), especially in the patients who were treated with higher doses of albendazole. The patients in the study group, compared to the patients in the control group had significantly higher mean activity of serum alanin aminotransferase in the course of the second and third month of the therapy (p < 0.05). Administration of albendazole due to adverse effects was stopped in 3 (7.1%) of the patients in the study group. Two (4.8%) of them had a very high activity of serum transaminases and one had a muscle pains and high activity of serum creatine kinase. After the interruption of the therapy we documented a normalization of serum enzyme levels in all the patients. Conclusion. Longterm, continual administration of high doses of albendazole in the patients with echinococcal disease results in significant elevation of serum transaminases activity, compared to the patients treated with albendazole in the cycles, but in the majority of the patients serum transaminases activity was normalizated by the end of a 6-month period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]