RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Based on many preclinical and small clinical trials, stem cells can help stroke patient with the possibility of replacing the cells and supporting the remaining cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of bone marrow mononuclear (BMMN) stem cell transplantation in subacute ischemic stroke patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine (n = 39) patients with subacute ischemic cerebral infarct due to large artery occlusion in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory were recruited. They were distributed into two groups: first group (n = 21) served as an experimental group, which received intra-arterial (IA) mononuclear stem cells (bone marrow-derived mononuclear cell), while the other group (n = 18) served as a control group. All the patients were evaluated clinically by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, modified Rankin Scale, Barthel Index, modified and standardized Arabic version of the Comprehensive Aphasia Test, and radiological for 12 months. RESULTS: The stem cell-treated group showed better improvement, but it was not significant when compared with the non-treated group. The volume of infarction changes at the end of the study was non-significant between both the groups. There was no, or minimal, adverse reactions in stem cell-treated group. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that autologous BMMN stem cell IA transplantation in subacute MCA ischemic stroke patients is safe with very minimal hazards, but no significant improvement of motor, language disturbance, or infarction volume was detected in stem cell-treated group compared with the non-treated group.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: 'Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood malignancy'. Adding methotrexate to treatment protocols increased survival rate in children with leukemia. Methotrexate efficacy is limited by its hepatotoxicity. AIM OF THE STUDY: To assess the therapeutic value of Black seed oil in 'methotrexate induced hepatotoxicity in Egyptian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia'. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 40 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia' including 20 patients under methotrexate therapy and Black seeds 80 mg/kg/day for one week after each methotrexate dose [Group II] and 20 patients under methotrexate therapy and placebo [Group III]. This study included also '20 healthy children of matched age and sex as a control group' [Group I]. All patients were subjected to complete blood picture, bone marrow aspiration and liver functions. RESULTS: No significant differences in liver functions between group II and III before therapy were observed. There were nonsignificant increase in total, direct and indirect serum bilirubin, serum ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase levels and prothrombin time in group II after methotrexate and Black seed oil therapy but there was significant increase in group III after treatment with methotrexate and placebo with 'significant differences between group II and III ' after therapy. There were significant differences in prognosis regarding remission, relapse, death and 'disease free survival but no significant difference in overall survival between group II and III'. CONCLUSION: Black cumin seeds decreased MTX hepatotoxicity and improved survival in children with ALL and can be recommended as adjuvant drug in patients with ALL under methotrexate therapy.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Schistosomal cor pulmonale is considered an important pathological condition in endemic areas. Few recent studies have reported the role of apoptosis in pulmonary hypertension. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas), an inhibitor of apoptosis, in patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale as compared to patients with cor pulmonale due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and normal subjects. METHODS: Serum sFas was assessed in 15 men with schistosomal cor pulmonale (age 32 +/- 10 years), 15 men with chronic cor pulmonale secondary to COPD and 20 healthy men, matched for age. RESULTS: Serum levels of sFas were significantly higher in patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale (74 +/- 80 U/ml) than in patients with cor pulmonale due to COPD (15 +/- 10 U/ml) and normal subjects (19 +/- 11 U/ml, p < 0.001 in both). In patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale, sFas was significantly higher in patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure > 30 mm Hg as compared to patients with pressure < or = 30 mm Hg (109 +/- 97 vs. 34 +/- 20 U/ml, p = 0.01). There was a significant correlation between serum sFas and the mean pulmonary artery pressure in patients with bilharzial cor pulmonale (r = 0.4, p < 0.01), but not in patients with COPD (r = 0.1, p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Serum sFas levels are elevated in patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale and they are related to the severity of pulmonary hypertension. These findings suggest a role of apoptosis in schistosomal cor pulmonale.

Asunto(s)