muramidase and Brain-Neoplasms

We report here the development of a chitosan/beta-glycerophosphate(Ch/beta-GP) thermo-sensitive gel to deliver ellagic acid (EA) for cancer treatment. The properties of the Ch/beta-GP gels were characterized regarding chemical structure, surface morphology, and viscoelasticity. In vitro EA release rate from the EA loaded Ch/beta-GP gel and chitosan degradation rate were investigated. The anti-tumor effect of the EA loaded Ch/beta-GP gel on brain cancer cells (human U87 glioblastomas and rat C6 glioma cells) was evaluated by examining cell viability. Cell number and activity were monitored by the MTS assay. The Ch/beta-GP solution formed a heat-induced gel at body temperature, and the gelation temperature and time were affected by the final pH of the Ch/beta-GP solution. The lysozyme increased the EA release rate by 2.5 times higher than that in the absence of lysozyme. Dialyzed chitosan solution with final pH 6.3 greatly reduced the beta-GP needed for gelation, thereby significantly improving the biocompatibility of gel (p < 0.001). The chitosan gels containing 1% (w/v) of ellagic acid significantly reduced viability of U87 cells and C6 cells compared with the chitosan gels at 3 days incubation (p < 0.01, and p < 0.001, respectively).

Topics: Animals; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Death; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Chitosan; Drug Delivery Systems; Elastic Modulus; Ellagic Acid; Fibroblasts; Gels; Glycerophosphates; Humans; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Muramidase; Rats; Rheology; Solutions; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Temperature; Time Factors

A 2-year-old Sprague-Dawley rat with hindlimb paralysis was diagnosed with a cerebral malignant astrocytoma. The distinctive feature of this astrocytoma was the presence of scattered binucleated cells that contained hypereosinophilic, 1-2 micro m in diameter, cytoplasmic granules. The neoplastic astrocytes stained positively for vimentin (VIM), lysozyme, and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH). Within the binucleated cells, granules stained with PTAH and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) before and after diastase digestion. Ultrastructurally, neoplastic astrocytes were characterized by cytoplasmic aggregates of electron-dense intermediate filaments consistent with VIM and desmin. The cytoplasm of binucleated cells contained numerous phagolysosomes enlarged by myelin figures and glycoprotein or glycolipid. Intermediate filaments were not present. This is the first description, in the rat, of a neoplasm with features resembling the human granular cell astrocytoma. Our findings suggest that an astrocytic origin should be considered for the binucleated cells in this neoplasm.

Topics: Animals; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Granular Cell Tumor; Immunohistochemistry; Microscopy, Electron; Muramidase; Phosphotungstic Acid; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rodent Diseases; Telencephalon; Vimentin

Investigations were performed to become acquainted with the immunohistochemical features of foam cells localized perivascular and intratumoral in neoplasms of neuroectodermal origin. Antibodies against lysozyme (muramidase) (LO), alfa 1-antitrypsin (AT), protein S-100 and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) were used. A weak or medium intense reaction result has been obtained in the cytoplasm of the foam cells if antibodies against LO, and alfa 1-antitrypsin and almost negative result if antibodies against protein S-100 and GFAP were used. Only very few cells which differ from the foam cells morphologically were very intense stained with primary antibodies against LO and alfa 1-antitrypsin. In accordance with the present views the LO and AT positive cells were recognized as macrophages. The application of macrophage markers did not allow us to ascribe unequivocally the foam cells macrophage-like or histiocyte-like properties. May be that the foam cells in tumors of perivascular and intratumoral localization present another phenotypic defined group of histiocytes, despite their morphological similarity to those cells derived from smooth muscle cells of arterial blood vessels observed in arteriosclerosis.

Topics: alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Ectoderm; Foam Cells; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioblastoma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lymphocytes; Meningeal Neoplasms; Meningioma; Muramidase; S100 Proteins

An autopsy case of pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (Bednár tumor) with systemic metastasis is reported. No previous example of this tumor showing widespread metastasis has been reported in the literature. The patient, a 45-year-old man, developed a tumor on the right upper arm. The tumor recurred twice and metastasized to other parts of the skin, lungs and brain during the 8-year clinical course. The primary tumor contained melanin-laden tumor cells and showed a storiform growth pattern. Autopsy confirmed multiple metastatic lesions in the skin, lungs, brain, thyroid, pancreas, stomach, small intestine and thigh muscles. The recurrent and metastatic tumors lacked both melanin production and the storiform arrangement, and instead revealed "fibro-sarcomatous" change with a herring-bone or interlacing pattern of growth.

Topics: Adult; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Autopsy; Brain Neoplasms; Desmin; Fibrosarcoma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Microscopy, Electron; Muramidase; Myoglobin; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; S100 Proteins; Skin Neoplasms; von Willebrand Factor

Antisera to alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, alpha 1-antitrypsin and lysozyme were reacted with 20 cases of glioblastoma multiforme, seven anaplastic astrocytomas, eight astrocytomas, six oligodendrogliomas, four ependymomas and the cerebral cortex from six normal autopsy brains. In addition, two pleomorphic xantho-astrocytomas and two heavily lipidized malignant gliomas were similarly examined. All astrocytic lesions were confirmed with anti-GFAP antisera. Thirty astrocytic tumours (77%), four oligodendrogliomas (67%) and three ependymomas (75%) reacted positively with anti-alpha 1-antichymotrypsin; 25 astrocytic tumours (64%), three oligodendrogliomas (50%) and three ependymomas (75%) showed positive staining for alpha 1-antitrypsin. The pattern of staining with either of these two markers did not correlate with tumour grading. None of the gliomas examined stained positively with anti-lysozyme. Non-neoplastic glial elements did not react with any of the three antisera. The results of this study suggest that staining for alpha 1-antichymotrypsin and alpha 1-antitrypsin is of little value in the differential diagnosis of neuroepithelial or mesenchymal lesions in the brain.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Biomarkers, Tumor; Brain Neoplasms; Child; Female; Glioma; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase

The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, fibronectin (FN), factor VIII-related antigen (FVIII/RAG), and of three monohistiocytic markers, lysozyme, alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin was examined in five gliosarcomas (GS) by peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunostaining of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens, and compared with vascular changes in 16 glioblastomas (GB). In contrast to GB, endothelial proliferations of GS were sheathed by sarcomatous tissue (perivascular sarcoma), which was contiguous with fibrosarcomatous areas. Cells with conspicuous intracytoplasmic FN content (FN+ cells) were seen in the vascular stroma of GB and dominated in the sarcomatous parts of GS. Most FN+ cells of GS were of varying size and shape and clearly neoplastic. Monohistiocytic markers were demonstrable in small infiltrating mononuclear cells as well as in many sarcomatous cells including FN+ cells. FVIII/RAG was restricted to lumen-lining endothelium and was not found in sarcomatous cells. These results suggest that a major part of sarcoma in GS is less likely to develop from proliferated endothelial cells than from histiocytic cells in the perivascular spaces of GB. By FN mediation, histiocytic cells might also guide and promote sarcomatous proliferations of other mesenchymal cells, leading to fibrosarcomatous development. Prominent monstrous giant cells of one GS seemed to be degenerating glioma cells.

Topics: Adult; Antigens; Brain Neoplasms; Cell Division; Chymotrypsin; Factor VIII; Fibronectins; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Glioma; Histiocytes; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neoplasm Proteins; Trypsin; von Willebrand Factor

The relation of lymphoma cells to gliomesenchymal stroma within nervous tissue was studied by peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunostaining of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded surgical specimens for fibronectin (FN), factor VIII-related antigen and glial fibrillary acidic protein in 17 malignant non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the brain. For comparison, 9 non-Hodgkin lymphomas, 6 Hodgkin lymphomas, and 19 plasmacytomas of the spinal or cranial epidural spaces were studied with the same methods. Lymphoma cells were consistently negative for all markers. All lymphomas of the brain showed conspicuous concentric perivascular circles of immunoreactivity for FN in parts infiltrating brain tissue. Such structures are considered to derive from splitting of basal laminae of preexisting brain vessels; they were not seen in tumors of the epidural space. Cells with conspicuous FN content were found in brain as well as in epidural lymphomas. A monohistiocytic origin of those cells was confirmed by presence of monohistiocytic markers lysozyme and alpha-1-anti-chymotrypsin. Thus, additional immunostaining for FN seems to be useful for detecting monohistiocytes/macrophages in brain tumors.

Topics: alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin; alpha 1-Antitrypsin; Antigens; Brain Neoplasms; Epidural Space; Factor VII; Fibronectins; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Muramidase

Peanut lectin (PNL) binding to a total of 13 granular cell tumours was examined by means of the peroxidase antiperoxidase technique. The tumours included six tumourettes of the neurohypophysis, one malignant granular cell tumour of the brain, and six peripheral tumours of distinct locations. Every tumour studied showed intracytoplasmic fine granular PNL binding; after pretreatment with neuraminidase, the weakly positive reaction was enhanced to a great extent. In all tumours simultaneous examination for the detection of lysozyme and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was also carried out. Lysozyme was negative in all cases, whereas GFAP expression could be demonstrated at the periphery of the malignant granular cell tumour of the brain. The data presented clearly demonstrate that PNL can be used as a histochemical marker for granular cells regardless of their location. The fact that the presence of lysozyme could not be proved does not support the view of a histiocytic origin for granular cells, whereas the expression of GFAP in some immature granular cells of the brain tumour examined is considered to be an argument in favor of its glial origin.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Arachis; Brain Neoplasms; Cytoplasmic Granules; Female; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Lectins; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neuraminidase; Pituitary Neoplasms; Plant Lectins

In an eighteen month period ending October 1978, nine cases of intracranial Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were diagnosed in this centre. Eight patients had lymphomatous meningitis and one, multiple intracerebral lymphoma deposits. The commonest presentation was with multiple cranial nerve palsies. Despite treatment five patients died within one month of diagnosis and at autopsy three patients were found to have extensive lymphoma involving the meninges. Three patients remain in remission after combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The incidence, clinical features, management and prognosis for this condition are discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; Female; Glucose; Humans; Leukocyte Count; Lymphocytes; Lymphoma; Male; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Prognosis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Topics: Astrocytoma; Brain Neoplasms; Ependymoma; Glioma; Humans; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pituitary Neoplasms

The presence of lysozyme in the CSF is considered with regard to its value in the early diagnosis of primary or secondary CNS Tumours. Since the appearance of this enzyme in the CSF is secondary to the increase of protein in the fluid, the search for lysozyme in the CSF is of no practical help in the diagnosis of CNS tumours.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Brain Neoplasms; Central Nervous System Diseases; Cerebral Ventricles; Child; Child, Preschool; Craniopharyngioma; Cysts; Female; Glioma; Humans; Hydrocephalus; Infant; Male; Meningioma; Meningitis; Middle Aged; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neurilemmoma; Neuroblastoma; Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms; Time Factors; Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Lysozyme activity was measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 114 patients with inflammatory (bacterial and serous meningitis, polyradiculitis, encephalitis) and non-inflammatory (multiple sclerosis, CNS tumors, cerebral vascular diseases) CNS diseases. Highly elevated values were found consistently in patients with bacterial meningitis. Elevated values were found also in patients with encephalitis, polyradiculitis, multiple sclerosis and CNS tumors, but a considerable overlapping between these groups and normal controls precludes the use of CSF lysozyme measurements as a diagnostic aid in the latter disease groups. Simultaneous measurements of lysozyme, albumin and IgG in CSF and serum suggested that the mechanism for increased CSF lysozyme values in bacterial meningitis is mainly a breakdown of the blood/brain barrier, whereas the increased CSF lysozyme values in the remaining groups of patients are more likely caused by production of lysozyme by cells within the meninges (neutrophilic granulocytes, monocytes?).

Topics: Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain Neoplasms; Central Nervous System Diseases; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Encephalitis; Humans; Immunoglobulin G; Male; Meningitis; Multiple Sclerosis; Muramidase; Polyradiculopathy; Serum Albumin

Topics: Brain Injuries; Brain Neoplasms; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Craniopharyngioma; Glioma; Humans; Meningioma; Muramidase; Neurilemmoma; Neuroblastoma; Vestibulocochlear Nerve

Topics: Blood-Brain Barrier; Brain Neoplasms; Choriocarcinoma; Chorionic Gonadotropin; Desmosterol; Female; Glioma; Humans; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis; Pregnancy

C.S.F. lysozyme concentrations were determined in 24 normal subjects and 14 patients with a variety of neurologic diseases. We found absent or very low activity (below 0-5 mg/ml, in 4 out of 24) in normal individuals. Patients with tumours and other neurological diseases had high lysozyme activity in C.S.F. Our findings suggest that lysozyme is not an accurate indicator of the presence of neoplastic disease as suggested by other investigators.

Topics: Brain Diseases; Brain Neoplasms; Humans; Muramidase

The concentration of lysozyme (LZM) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been studied in 148 patients to evaluate its possible significance in the differential diagnosis of various diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). In the control group only 3 of 45 patients had detectable LZM in their CSF, the highest value being 1.3 mug/ml. The diabetic and epileptic groups did not differ from the control group. Of 8 patients with primary intracranial tumours, 4 had raised CSF-LZM levels. Twenty of 23 uraemic patients had elevated CSF-LZM, the highest value being 3.3 mug/ml. The highest values were found in patients with bacterial meningitis, tuberculous meningitis and leptomeningitis due to Aspergillus. A positive correlation was found between CSF-LZM and protein concentrations. The measurement of LZM may be of value in the diagnosis of inflammatory processes affecting the CNS and in the diagnosis of certain intracranial tumours.

Topics: Aged; Brain Neoplasms; Central Nervous System Diseases; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Diabetic Neuropathies; Epilepsy; Female; Humans; Male; Meningitis; Muramidase

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; Clinical Enzyme Tests; Humans; Muramidase; Nervous System Diseases; Sarcoma

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Female; Glioma; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell; Humans; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Male; Meningitis; Muramidase; Neoplasm Metastasis