Combined effects of vitamin C, vitamin E, and sodium selenate supplementation on absolute ethanol-induced injury in various organs of rats

In this study, the effect of combination of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), and selenium (sodium selenate) on ethanol-induced liver and intestine injury in rats was investigated. The ethanol-induced injury was produced by the administration of 1 ml of absolute ethanol to each rats. Animals received vitamin C (250 mg/ kg), vitamin E (250 mg/ kg), and sodium selenate (Se) (0.5 mg/ kg) for 3 days; 1 h after the final antioxidant administration, they were sacrificed. Lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels, catalase (CAT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GP(x)) activities were determined in liver and intestine tissues. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP),gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) were determined in liver tissue. Also, CAT activity, urea, creatinine, uric acid, and total lipid levels were determined in serum samples. In the ethanol group, serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, and total lipid levels; liver and intestine LDH; liver MPO, AST, ALP, ALT, and GGT activities; and liver and intestine LPO levels increased, whereas serum CAT activity, liver and intestine GSH levels, and CAT, SOD, and GPx activities decreased. On the other hand, treatment with vitamin C, vitamin E, and Se reversed these effects. As a result of these findings, we can say that the combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium has a protective effect on ethanol-induced changes in lipid peroxidation, glutathione levels, and antioxidant enzyme activities in liver and intestine tissues, and in some serum parameters of rats

The protective effect of vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium combination therapy on ethanol-induced duodenal mucosal injury

In this study, the effect of a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium on ethanol-induced duodenal mucosal damage in rats was investigated morphologically and biochemically. The duodenal mucosal injury was produced by oral administration of 1 mL of absolute ethanol to each rat. Animals received vitamin C ( 250 mg/ kg), vitamin E ( 250 mg/kg) and selenium (0.5 mg/kg) for 3 days and absolute ethanol 1 hour after last antioxidant administration and were sacrificed 1 hour after absolute ethanol. Extreme degeneration in intestinal mucosa of rats given ethanol was observed morphologically. In addition, an increase in neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive areas was observed in the rats of the group given ethanol. On the other hand, a normal morphological appearance and a decrease in neuronal nitric oxide synthase immunoreactive areas were detected in the rats given ethanol + vitamin C + vitamin E + selenium. In the group to which ethanol was administered, an increase in serum cholesterol and a decrease in serum albumin levels were determined. On the other hand, in the group to which ethanol + vitamin C + vitamin E + selenium were administered, serum cholesterol value decreased, and the serum albumin level increased. As a result, we can say that the combination of vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium has a protective effect on ethanol-induced duodenal mucosal injury

Protective effects of ascorbic acid, DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate, and sodium selenate on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury of rats

In this study, the effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate (vitamin E), and sodium selenate (selenium) on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats was investigated morphologically and biochemically. The gastric mucosal injury was produced by administration of 1 mL of absolute ethanol to each rat. Animals received vitamin C (250 mg/kg), vitamin E (250 mg/kg), and selenium (0.5 mg/kg) for 3 d 1 h prior to the administration of absolute ethanol. In gastric mucosa of rats given ethanol according to control groups, neuronal nitric oxide expression decreased. This immunoreactivity was much lower in the group given ethanol+vitamin C+vitamin E+selenium than the control group and the ethanol-induced group. Scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the ethanol-induced group, when compared to control groups, revealed degenerative changes in gastric mucosa, whereas a good arrangement in surface topography of gastric mucosa in the group given ethanol + vitamin C+vitamin E + selenium was observed. In the group administered ethanol, a reduction of the stomach glutathione (GSH) and serum total protein levels and increases in serum sialic acid, triglycerides, and stomach lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were observed. Vitamin C+vitamin E+Se administration to alcohol-treated rats significantly increased the serum total protein, triglyceride levels, and stomach GSH levels and significantly lowered the levels of serum sialic acid and stomach LPO compared to untreated alcohol-supplemented rats. As a result of these findings, we can say that the combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium has a protective effect on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury of rats

Primary Malignant Melanoma of the Esophagus

Primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus (PMME) comprises only 0.1-0.2% of all malignant esophageal tumors. PMME tumors are highly aggressive and metastasize early via hematogenic and lymphatic pathways. Treatment outcome is poor because the cancer has often advanced at the time of diagnosis. Inoperability, unsuccessful treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy in advanced tumors and metastases have contributed to its poor prognosis. Here, we present the endoscopic features, endoscopic ultrasonography findings and management of a PMME case

Treatment of hepatic hydrothorax with terlipressin in a cirrhotic patient

Hepatic hydrothorax is a complication of cirrhosis that is uncommon and difficult to treat. Diuretic therapy, thoracentesis, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and liver transplantation are the main therapeutic options. Here, we report on a 47-year-old man with decompensated liver cirrhosis related to hepatitis B and D virus infections and who had complications of hepatic hydrothorax and hepatorenal syndrome. In this case, the hepatic hydrothorax, which was refractory to thoracic tube drainage and octreotide treatment, could be controlled with 5 days of terlipressin therapy associated with albumin. Terlipressin administration resulted in both improvement in renal function and successful resolution of hepatic hydrothorax. Splanchnic vasoconstrictor agents that reduce splanchnic blood flow, increase both central volume and effective renal blood flow. Thus they improve renal function. In our case, terlipressin, known to be beneficial in hepatorenal syndrome, was also effective in the treatment of hepatic hydrothorax probably by similar mechanisms. This is the first case in the literature

Blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome associated with consumption coagulopathy: treatment with interferon

The blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome (BRBNS) is a rare vascular malformation syndrome with cutaneous and visceral lesions frequently associated with serious, even fatal bleeding. No systemic therapy is currently available. We report here a case with disseminated skin and gastrointestinal venous malformations and findings of disseminated intravascular coagulation that was treated with interferon beta. The disseminated intravascular coagulation manifestations were cleared with the treatment. The regression of the coagulopathy in our patient led us to think that the use of interferon beta in BRBNS might be beneficial. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel

Response to hepatitis B vaccination in patients with celiac disease

Abnormal immune response to gliadin, genetic, and environmental factors play a role in the pathogenesis of celiac disease (CD). Non-responsiveness to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination is related to genetic features. Certain human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes are more prevalent among non-responders to HBV vaccination. There is also a strong relationship between CD and these HLA genotypes. This study investigates the relationship between CD and non-responsiveness to HBV vaccination, with an emphasis on genotypic co-incidence. No statistically significant difference was noted between the ages and gender of CD patients and control subjects. Baseline serum IgA, IgM, and IgG levels of all CD patients were normal. Responsiveness to HBV vaccination was observed in 17 (68%) CD patients and all (100%) control subjects (P = 0.006). In conclusion, CD should also be sought in unresponders to HBV vaccine who are not immunosuppressed