The influence of 5-fluorouracil on activity of thymidine phosphorylase in gastric adenocarcinoma and normal adjacent tissue

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the change of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) activity in gastric adenocarcinoma and adjacent tissue upon the intraarterial administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Matherials and methods: The specimens of tumor and adjacent tissue were obtained by surgical operation on 36 patients (20 men and 16 women aged from 38 to 82 years) with gastric adenocarcinoma (stages II–IV). 5-FU was administered in the bolus dose to the gastroepiploic artery 2–60 min before the tumor resection. The concentration of 5-FU and activity of TP in both tissues were determined by high performance liquid chromatography method. Results: The concentration of 5-FU was decreased in a time-dependent manner in both tissues, though the interpatient variability of this value was much less in tumor tissue. The activity of TP was decreased with the course of the time after 5-FU administration in tumor and normal adjacent tissue. There were statistically significant differences in the TP activity in both tissues between 2–20 min and 40–60 min after 5-FU injection (p < 0.05). Conclusion: 5-FU administration results in the decrease of TP activity in tumor and normal adjacent tissues that might have importance for chemotherapy with fluoropyrimidines. Key Words: 5-fluorouracil, thymidine phosphorylase, gastric adenocarcinoma, normal mucosa

Neuropathological Findings in Ephedrone Encephalopathy

BACKGROUND: A number of cases of severe parkinsonism-dystonia have been recognized and reported following the illicit use of ephedrone prepared from pseudoephedrine and potassium permanganate. The pathology associated with ephedrone neurotoxicity has not been described yet in the scientific literature. OBJECTIVES: To report the first neuropathological study of ephedrone toxicity. METHODS: The brain of a 33-year-old Ukrainian female ex-ephedrone addict with a long history of l-dopa-unresponsive parkinsonism with dysarthria, dystonia, profound postural instability, cock-gait, and frequent falls, and on antiretroviral treatment, was examined using routine stains and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Neuropathological findings included diffuse pallidal astrogliosis without neuronal depletion. There was also widespread vascular pathology with small vessels occluded by foreign material, associated with giant cell response without any evidence of consequent focal infarction and a cerebellar abscess. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical findings of l-dopa-unresponsive parkinsonism with dystonia, caused by illicit use of ephedrone, are fully consistent with neuropathological changes in the pallidum, lack of change in the SN, and preserved tyrosine hydroxylase activity. The findings in the basal ganglia are compatible with manganese toxicity. The vascular pathology is likely a joint effect of infection and the ephedrone toxicity on the vessels. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society