Spleen is the largest lymphoid organ and obesity is related to an elevated risk of immunity dysfunction. The mechanism whereby fat adversely affects the spleen is poorly understood. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of grape seed and skin extract (GSSE) and orlistat (Xenical, Xe) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced spleen lipotoxicity. Obese rats were treated either with GSSE (4 g/kg body weight) or Xe (2 mg/kg body weight) or GSSE+Xe and monitored for weight loss for 3 months. Animals were then sacrificed and their spleen used for the evaluation of lipotoxicity-induced oxidative stress and inflammation as well as the putative protection afforded by GSSE and Xe treatment. HFD induced body weight gain and glycogen accumulation into the spleen; ectopic deposition of cholesterol and triglycerides and an oxidative stress characterized by increased lipoperoxidation and carbonylation; inhibition of antioxidant enzyme activities, such as catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase; depletion of zinc and copper; and a concomitant increase in calcium. HFD also increased plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and C-reactive protein, and decreased plasma IL-10 and adiponectin. Importantly, GSSE counteracted all the deleterious effects of HFD on spleen (i.e., lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation) and the best protection was obtained when combining Xe+GSSE. Combining GSSE with Xe prevented against fat-induced spleen lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation; this combination may be beneficial in other diseases related to the spleen.
Amyloidosis is an abnormal extracellular deposit, which can occur in several tissues. The mechanism is not clearly defined. In systemic amyloidosis, all the organs can be infiltrated, but amyloid goiter as the initial manifestation of systemic amyloidosis is an exceedingly rare condition. We report a rare case of a patient who presented an amyloid goiter as the first manifestation of systemic amyloidosis. This patient had a known Crohn's disease. He developed a goiter without compressive complications. Histologic examination revealed a diffuse amyloid deposition surrounding thyroid follicles. The gland was enlarged with an eosinophilic and amorphic deposit. Confirmation of amyloid was made by the presence of congophilia and apple-green birefringence under polarized-light microscopy. An immunoreactivity was seen with AA protein. Amyloid goiter is a rare manifestation of amyloidosis. About 250 cases of amyloid goiter have been reported in the literature. The goiter enlarges rapidly and progressively, often becoming compressive like thyroid cancer. The prognosis depends on the treatment of the amyloidosis and the underlying chronic disease.
False positive radioiodine uptake following thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer has been reported in some cases. A 57-year-old female patient was referred for ablative radioiodine treatment four weeks after undergoing total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Posttherapeutic I-131 scintigraphy showed uptake in the neck and large focus in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Pathology revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the right ovary.
Verrucous carcinoma (VC) of the nail bed is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma that is often misdiagnosed as a benign condition. The clinical presentation of this tumor is very similar to that of warts or onychomycosis hence the delayed appropriate treatment. Its association with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has rarely been reported. The treatment of VC of the nail unit depends on the extent of the lesion and the presence or the absence of bone. We here report an unusual case of VC of the nail bed of the left big toe in a man associated with HPV53 infection that had been mistaken for a wart for 1 year. The condition was treated by ray amputation.
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