A New Dissolution Effect of DMO on Human Pancreatic Stone : In vitro Study

In this study, we examined the dissolution effect of dimethadione (DMO) on pancreatic stones, when kept at 37°C in a DMO 0.05 M NaHC03 saline solution which was replaced once a week, were partially dissolved during a 12-week period. The decreasing stone weight ratios were 38% (1.0 g/1 DMO), 41% (0.5 g/1), 7% (0.1 g/1), and 2% (control). The DMO solution induced a concentration-dependent increase in the solubility of the pancreatic stones associated with a concentration-dependent fall in the solution pH. The eluted calcium concentration in the solution was measured after one week\u27s incubation, and then the decrease in stone weight in theory was calculated. The decrease in stone weight in practice, however, was more than the calculated weight in theory. To determine the reason for this discrepancy, we examined the solution microscopically for sediment and found amorphous substances indicating a concentration-dependent increase in the amount of sediment. These substances resembled artificially broken pancreatic stones and they were dissolved by bubbles following the addition of acetic acid. This phenomenon suggests that these substances and pancreatic stones consist of CaC03. Therefore, it appears DMO has the potency not only to dissolve CaCO3, but also to break pancreatic stones into small pieces

DU-PAN 2 Antigen in Sera of Patients with Liver Diseases

To evaluate the usefulness of serum DU-PAN 2 (an antigen defined by a monoclonal antibody raised against human pancreatic carcinoma cells), serum specimens from 370 cases of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases along with 31 normal controls were studied using an enzyme immunoassay. Elevated levels of serum DU-PAN 2 were detected in the serum of 28.3% of the cases with chronic hepatitis (15/53), 36.5% of those with liver cirrhosis (27/74), 48.4% of the hepatocellular carcinoma cases (61/126) and 50% of primary biliary cirrhosis (4/8). Significant differences were noted between patients with chronic inactive hepatitis (17 cases mean 201.4 U/ml) and chronic active hepatitis (36 cases; mean 394.5 U/ml) and, more distinctly, between patients with compensated liver cirrhosis (41 cases; mean 225.1 U/ml) and, those with decompensated liver cirrhosis (33 cases; mean 564.7 U/ml). The highest median levels were seen in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (922.7 U/ml), and then in those with hepatocellular carcinoma (551.4 U/ml). Using an immunoperoxidase technique on formalin-fixed, deparaffinized liver sections, we showed that DU-PAN 2 reacted with bile-duct epithelium but never stained hepatoma cells. These results suggest that the determination of serum DU-PAN 2 can be useful in evaluating chronic liver diseases

Serum Levels of 7S Collagen in HCV-Ab Positive Chronic Liver Diseases

Serum 7S collagen was measured in 100 patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-Ab positive chronic liver disease using RIA kit (7S-RIA : Japan DPC Corporation). The serum levels of 7S collagen were significantly higher in all types of liver diseases than those in 20 healthy controls (3.9±0.4 ng/ml). The 7S collagen level was 8.4±3.6 ng/ml (n = 30) in chronic hepatitis (CH), 14.4±8.1 ng/ml (n = 30) in liver cirrhosis (LC), 14.5 ±8.6 ng/ml (n=40) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In chronic hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis had a mean 7S collagen value of 9.8±3.8 ng/ml (n=19), while that of chronic inactive hepatitis was 6.1±1.8 ng/ml (n=11). In decompensated liver cirrhosis, the 7S collagen value was 17.6±9.2 ng/ml (n=17), whereas that of compensated LC was 10.2±3.1 ng/ml (n=13). In HCC, 7S collagen was examined according to the size of the tumor. In HCC with a diameter of less than 3 cm, the value was 11.0±4.2 ng/ml (n = 5). In 3 to 5 cm lesions, it was 12.5±5.8 ng/ml (n=16) and those more than 5 cm in diameter, it was 17.1 ±10.8 ng/ml (n=19). Although there were no significant differences according to size, there was a tendency for the level of 7S collagen to increase with the size of the tumor. The HCV-Ab titer and 7S collagen level showed no significant correlation. Measurement of serum 7S collagen may be useful for the evaluation of the degree of progression of LC and HCC

Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Transcatheter Chemo-embolization Using Iodized Oil

Four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were given either an intraarterial injection of iodized poppyseed oil (Lipiodol) alone, an emulsion of iodized oil and doxorubicin hydrochloride (Adriamycin), or the emulsion plus gelatin sponge (Spongel) particles. Hepatic resection was subsequently performed. The frequencies of necrosis in the tumors were evaluated in the cut surface of resected specimens. The emulsion plus gelatin sponge demonstrated the best therapeutic effects. Although the emulsion led to partial necrosis of the tumor, iodized oil alone had practically no therapeutic effect