Serum Acid Phosphatase Levels Research Articles

In Vitro Cytotoxic Activity and In Vivo Antiproliferative Activity of Ethyl Acetate Fraction of Bunium bulbocastanum Seed Against Prostatic Neoplasia

AbstractSeveral in vitro investigations of the therapeutic characteristics of B. bulbocastanum have shown that it has cytotoxic, antifungal, and antibacterial effects. It also exhibits antioxidant and anticancer effects. When the ethyl acetate fraction of B. bulbocastanum was examined for its phytochemical composition, it was found to be rich in phenolic compounds and had significant cytotoxic effects on PC-3 cell lines. The prostate length-to-weight ratio was significantly higher in vivo in the ethyl acetate fraction-treated group. Compared to the disease control group, histopathological examination of the ethyl acetate-treated group revealed a reduction in inflammation and malignant lesions, confirming its antiproliferative efficacy. According to serum biochemistry, acid phosphatase and PSA levels in the ethyl acetate fraction treatment group were significantly lower than those in the disease control group. When compared to the disease control group, malondialdehyde levels in the ethyl acetate fraction treatment group were likewise reduced dramatically. However, in the group treated with the ethyl acetate fraction, glutathione levels increased considerably. The ethyl acetate fraction of B. bulbocastanum may have cytotoxic and antiproliferative potential, both in vitro and in vivo.

Marine Natural Products with Activities against Prostate Cancer: Recent Discoveries.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with over 52,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Diagnostics and early treatment are potentially hindered by variations in screening protocols, still largely reliant on serum levels of acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen, with tumour diagnosis and grading relying on histopathological examination. Current treatment interventions vary in terms of efficacy, cost and severity of side effects, and relapse can be aggressive and resistant to the current standard of care. For these reasons, the scientific community is looking for new chemotherapeutic agents. This review reports compounds and extracts derived from marine organisms as a potential source of new drugs against prostate cancer. Whilst there are several marine-derived compounds against other cancers, such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, breast and lung cancer, already available in the market, the presently collated findings show how the marine environment can be considered to hold potential as a new drug source for prostate cancer, as well. This review presents information on compounds presently in clinical trials, as well as new compounds/extracts that may enter trials in the future. We summarise information regarding mechanisms of action and active concentrations.

Changes in serum acid and alkaline phosphatase levels caused by exposure to the latex of the Euphorbia tirucalli plant in snake-headed murrel, Channa punctatus

Changes in serum acid and alkaline phosphatase levels caused by exposure to the latex of the Euphorbia tirucalli plant in snake-headed murrel, Channa punctatus

Evaluation of the effect of Simvastatin Therapy on Bone remodeling in Rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of simvastatin on the bone remolding markers in rats (experimental study). Materials and methods: The study involved 18 male Wistar rats, they were divided into three groups: Group I (n=6; control group), Group II (n=6; was administrated 7.5 mg/kg/ dexamethasone intra muscular for 2 months served as a model of osteoporosis [op]), Group III (n=6;was administered 7.5 mg/kg/ dexamethasone intra muscular for 2month and treated orally with 8mg/kg of simvastatin).After 8 weeks, serum acid phosphatase was determined for the three group. Results: The levels of serum acid phosphatase were notably elevated in the [op] group. Administration of simvastatin produced a significant decrease in the levels of serum acid phosphatase. Conclusion: simvastatin was able to decrease the rate of bone resorption in an animal model of osteoporosis induced by dexamethasone.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Ethanolic Extracts of Allophylus Cobbe (L.) Raeusch Leaves against Paracetamol Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Objective: Aim of the current investigation is to screen the hepatoprotective activity of the Ethanolic Extract of Allophylus Cobbe (EEAC) leaves against Paracetamol (PCM) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Methods: EEAC was administered to the rats for 7 days (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) and hepatotoxicity was induced by administration of PCM (3 g/k day . After 24 h of toxicity induction, the blood samples were collected by retro orbital plexus method and different serum and tissue biochemical parameters were analyzed. Livers of the animals were isolated and were studied for histopathological changes. The extract treated animals were compared with Silymarin (100 mg/kg). Results: Treatment of animals with EEAC at 200 and 400 mg/kg showed dose dependant significant decrease in Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (SGPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Acid Phosphatase (ACP), Creatinine and Lipid Peroxidation (LPO) levels and significant increase in protective enzymes Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Glutathione (GSH) and total proteins levels in serum and tissue biochemical parameters when compared with the PCM treated rats. In histopathological study of liver, animals pretreated with EEAC showed minimal liver damage with distinct protection of structures and the architectural frame of the hepatic cells as observed by the liver section showing mild degree of liver damage, sinusoidal congestion, and mild inflammation. Allophylus Cobbe showed the presence of bioactive components having antioxidant potential; which might be responsible for hepatoprotective activity of the EEAC. Conclusion: The present study showed that EEAC restored the levels of altered biochemical parameters and prevented the liver from the toxic effects of PCM concludes that Allophylus Cobbe possess hepatoprotective activity.

Alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase levels in saliva and serum of patients with healthy periodontium, gingivitis, and periodontitis before and after scaling with root planing: A clinico-biochemical study

Periodontitis is commonly diagnosed based on clinical parameters. However, the analysis of a few unique biomarkers of the disease process present in the saliva and blood can further assist the estimation of the rate of disease progression.AimThe present study attempted to correlate the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) levels in saliva and serum between patients with healthy periodontium, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis.Materials and methodsThe present study was conducted in 135 subjects between 20 and 55 years of age. The subjects were divided into three groups, namely healthy (Group A), gingivitis (Group B), and chronic periodontitis (Group C). The clinical parameters were recorded using the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD). Saliva and serum were analyzed for ALP and ACP levels using an auto analyzer. All patients underwent scaling and root planning (SRP) along with oral hygiene instructions. Patients were then recalled after four weeks, and blood and saliva samples were collected to estimate ALP and ACP levels prior to clinical examination.ResultsThe clinical parameters exhibited a statistically significant decrease in the PI and GI in both group B and group C after SRP. A significant change in the PD and attachment levels (AL) was observed in the periodontitis group after SRP. The mean salivary & serum ALP levels exhibited a statistically significant decrease in group B & C after SRP. The mean serum ACP levels exhibited a statistically significant decrease in group B & C after SRP However, the salivary ACP levels decrease after SRP was only statistically significant in group C.ConclusionSerum and salivary ALP and ACP levels were markedly decreased in the gingivitis and periodontitis groups after SRP and were positively correlated with the clinical parameters.

INSTRUMENTAL AND LABORATORY STUDY OF JAW MINERALIZATION LEVEL IN FEMALE PATIENTS WITH ESTROGEN IMBALANCE

Introduction: Prevention of dental caries and non-carious lesions associated withdemineralizing effect of estrogen imbalance in perimenopause women isrelevant problem in modern dentistry.The aim: To improve the effectiveness of prevention of caries and non-cariouslesions in female patients with estrogen imbalance.Materials and methods: 3 groups of patients were selected for the study (20women in each): the patients of the control group receiving no additionaltreatment, the patients of experimental group 1 receiving general therapy withcomplex calcium supplements, the patients of experimental group 2 receivinggeneral therapy of complex calcium medicines combined withaminobisphosphonates.To quantify bone density of the jaws by computed tomography method, X-rayattenuation scale, called the Hounsfield scale was used. Bone tissues of the jawswere studied using 3D cone beam computed tomography scanner PlanmecaProMax. Planmeca Romexis® software was used for data processing andinterpretation. Estrogen level was estimated in all patients to confirm itsimbalance. The level of serum acid phosphatase was determined for indirectstudy of osteoporosis degree.Results: At the beginning of the research, significant bone demineralization andincreased level of acidic phosphatase were observed in all groups of women. In6 months of treatment the Hounsfield index and the level of acidic phosphatasein the control group were almost unchanged; in experimental group 1 – 1571±44 HU and 4.93 ± 0.26 IU/l; in experimental group 2 – 1701±48 HU and 2.43± 0.18 IU/l.Conclusions: Combination therapy consisting of calcium phosphate withvitamin D3 and aminobisphosphonates used for 6 months increased bonemineralization by 13.05% and reduced the activity of acid phosphatase by64.2%. This therapeutic complex results in decreased destruction of bone tissueand enhances remineralization of bone tissue and dental hard tissues.Key words: teeth mineralization, osteoporosis, estrogen dysfunction, Hounsfieldindex.

Рівень мінералізації щелеп у хворих з дисбалансом естрогенів за даними комп’ютерної томографії

Objective. To increase the effectiveness of the prevention of caries and non-carious dental lesions in patients with estrogen imbalance.Materials and methods. To quantify the density of the bone tissue of the jaws by the method of computed tomography of the structures, an X-ray attenuation scale, called the Hounsfield scale, was used. A Planmeca ProMax 3Ds cone beam computed tomograph was used. To process the results, Planmeca Romexis® software was used. To confirm the imbalance of estrogen, all patients underwent a study on the level of estrogen (estradiol) in the body. For an indirect study of the degree of osteoporosis (bone destruction), we determined the level of serum acid phosphatase. For the study, 3 groups of patients were selected: a comparison group (20 patients) – patients who had not received additional treatment, main group 1 (20 patients) – patients who underwent general therapy with complex calcium preparations, main group 2 (20 patients) – patients who underwent general therapy with complex preparations of calcium and aminobisphosphonates.Results. At the beginning of the study, all groups showed significant demineralization of bone tissue. After 6 months in thecomparison group, the Hounsfield index remained almost unchanged and amounted to 1497±63, which indicates the absence of dynamics in this group. In the main group 1, the Hounsfield index was 1571±44, which is only 5.28% better than the initial result. In the main group 2, the Hounsfield index was 1701±48, which is 13.05% more than the initial result. At the beginning of the study, all groups showed a significant increase in the level of acid phosphatase. So, the indicators in the comparison group, the main group 1, and in the main group 2 were 6.75±0.29, 6.81±0.56, 6.79±0.73, respectively (norm 0–5.5 IU/l). After 6 months of treatment in the comparison group, the level of acid phosphatase remained almost unchanged and amounted to 6.79±0.24, which indicates the absence of dynamics in this group. In the main group 1, the level of acid phosphatase was 4.93±0.26, which is only 27.6 % less than the initial result. In the main group 2, the level of acid phosphatase was 2.43±0.18, which is 64.2 % less than the initial result.Conclusions. The use of complex therapy using calcium phosphate preparations with vitamin D3 and aminobisphosphonates lasting 6 months increases bone mineralization by 13.05 %. The use of complex therapy using calcium phosphate preparations with vitamin D3 and aminobisphosphonates lasting 6 months reduces the activity of acid phosphatase by 64.2 %. The proposed treatment complex helps to reduce the destruction of bone tissue and stimulates the restoration of mineralization of bone tissue and hard tissues of teeth.Key words: tooth mineralization, osteoporosis, estrogen dysfunction, Hounsfield index.

Effect of stevia sweetener consumption as non-caloric sweetening on body weight gain and biochemical’s parameters in overweight female rats

Recently, non nutritive sweeteners that can substitute for sucrose (high in calorie) cause increased the prevalence of overweight children and adults. Non-caloric or low caloric sweeteners as tools for making healthful food choices have been introduced to satisfy consumer demand. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of stevia sweetener as a substitute sucrose at different doses (25, 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg b. wt/day) for twelve weeks on the weight management and on several hematological and biochemical parameters of female rats. The results showed significant improvement and ameliorated reduction in final bodyweight, body weights gain (%) (BWG) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) in the stevia sweetener groups compared with the control. Stevia sweetener at 500mg/kg b. wt/day helps in weight loss of rats, decrement in the total cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein concentration, increment in the high-density lipoprotein and no significant differences in mean serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), or acid phosphatase (ACP) levels as compared to the control rats, which may be considered as therapeutic beneficial. Also, this dose may be considered as a safe dose for people with diabetes, especially the many individuals who need to lose weight to help control their blood glucose levels.

Ameliorative Effect of <i>Lecaniodiscus cupanioides</i> (Sapindaceae) Aqueous Root Extract in Loperamide- Induced Constipated Rats

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of aqueous root extract of Lecaniodiscus cupanioidies Planch. (Sapindaceae) against loperamide-induced constipation in Wistar rats.Methods: Constipation was induced by oral administration of loperamide (3 mg/kg body weight). The constipated rats were orally treated daily either with 50, 150, 250 mg/kg body weight per day of the extract or 0.21 mg/kg bisacodyl (reference drug) for 7 days while the normal control group received distilled water. The feeding characteristics, body weight, faecal properties and gastrointestinal transit ratio were monitored throughout the study period. The activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), γ-glutaryltransferase (GGT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were also determined in the serum of the animals.Results: There was significant decrease (p < 0.05) between normal and constipated rats in the number of faecal pellets (54.06 and 45.43) while body weight increased (124.45 and 135.38 g) respectively. Administration of 250 mg/kg L. cupanioides extract to the constipated rats significantly normalized (p < 0.05) their body weight gain (8.15 g) and gastrointestinal ratio (87.75) compared to the constipated control. Serum levels of ACP and AST were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) in the 150 and 250 mg/kg dose groups compared to controls while ALP witnessed reduction. However, there was no alteration in the levels of GGT and LDH across all groups.Conclusion: The aqueous root extract of L. cupanioides possesses laxative activity in loperamideinduced constipated rats.Keywords: Constipation, Lecaniodiscus cupanioides, Gastrointestinal transit ratio, Loperamide, Bisacodyl

Serum Enzymes as a Result of Azadirachta Indica Extract Injection to African Catfish Clarias Gariepinus ( Burchell , 1822 )

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0g/L) of the leaves of Azadirachta indica for seven (7) days on the serum enzymes acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphate (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of African catfish Clarias gariepinus which is widely cultured in Nigeria because of its remarkably fast growth rate and high market value. The level of serum ACP , ALP, ALT and AST revealed a significant decrease (P<0.05). In this study, the general inhibition of ALT, AST, ALP implies that there were hepatic disorders (liver disease) or renal injury, a disruption of the activity of the TCA cycle, respiratory process and glycolytic pathways. The present study, thus, tries to provide baseline information on the involvement of these biochemical parameters in toxicity assessment of aquatic system and also on the alteration of the enzymatic parameters maybe used in assessment of these plant extract.

Isolation of antiosteoporotic compounds from seeds of Sophora japonica.

Chemical investigation of Sophora japonica seeds resulted in the isolation of seven metabolites identified as: genistin (1), sophoricoside (2), sophorabioside (3), sophoraflavonoloside (4), genistein 7,4’-di-O-β-D-glucopyransoide (5), kaempferol 3-O-α–L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)β-D-glucopyranoside (6) and rutin (7). Compounds 1, 2 and 5 showed significant estrogenic proliferative effect in MCF-7 cell in sub-cytotoxic concentration range. Compounds 1 and 2 showed minimal cell membrane damaging effect using LDH leakage assay. Accordingly, compound 2 (sophoricoside, (SPH)) was selected for further in-vivo studies as a potential anti-osteoporosis agent. The anti-osteoporotic effect of SPH was assessed in ovarectomized (OVX) rats after oral administration (15 mg/kg and 30 mg/kg) for 45 days compared to estradiol (10 µg/kg) as a positive control. Only in a dose of 30 mg/kg, SPH regained the original mechanical bone hardness compared to normal non-osteoporotic group. However, SPH (15 mg/kg) significantly increased the level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) to normal level. Treatment with SPH (30 mg/kg) increased the level of ALP to be higher than normal group. SPH (15 mg/kg) did not significantly increase the serum level of osteocalcin (OC) compared to OVX group. On the other hand, treatment with SPH (30 mg/kg) significantly increased the level of OC to 78% higher than normal non-ovarectomized animals group. In addition, SPH (15 mg/kg) decreased the bone resorption marker, acid phosphatase (ACP) to normal level and SPH (30 mg/kg) further diminished the level of serum ACP. Histopathologically, sophoricoside ameliorated the ovarectomy induced osteoporosis in a dose dependent manner. The drug showed thicker bony trabeculae, more osteoid, and more osteoblastic rimming compared to OVX group.

Serum Acid Phosphatase Activity in Diabetes Mellitus

Lysosomal enzymes acid phosphatase show increase in diabetes mellitus and this is closely related to diabetic metabolic alterations. This was a cross- sectional study conducted on 50 diabetic subjects (25 patients with complications and 25 patients without complications) in RIMS hospital during the period from September 2010 to August 2012. Twenty five age and sex matched healthy individual were taken as controls. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was estimated by Fast Ion Exchange Resin Method. Acid Phosphatase was estimated by colorimetric kit method. The difference in the level of Fasting Blood Sugar(FBS), Postprandial Blood Sugar(PPBS) and HbA1c between control, diabetic groups without and diabetes with complication groups was significant statistically (P<0.001) indicating a poor control of glucose in the study group. There was a significant difference in the level of Acid Phosphatase in control, diabetic group without complication and diabetes with complication(2.03±0.73, 4.58±0.68, 8.61±1.05IU/L) respectively. The comparison of serum acid phosphatase level in male and female subjects in the study groups was insignificant. Statistically significant increase in serum acid phosphatase level was observed in the diabetes with complication compared to those without the complication (P <0.001). There was a significant positive correlation of acid phosphatase with fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar and glycosylated haemoglobin. Acid phosphatase can be used as an index for the development, control of diabetes and prognosis of diabetic complications.

Protective effect of quercetin on atrazine-induced oxidative stress in the liver, kidney, brain, and heart of adult wistar rats.

Background:The conflicting roles of quercetin against tissue pathologies associated with oxidative stress are known.Objective:To evaluate the effect of quercetin at doses of 5 mg/kg (Q5) or 10 mg/kg (Q10) against atrazine (120 mg/kg, ATZ)-induced oxidative stress in various tissues of rats.Materials and Methods:Adult male albino Wistar rats were administered ATZ, Q5, and Q10 alone or in combination for 16 days. At the end of the 16th day, the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation; and the blood, heart, brain, kidney and liver were collected and used for biochemical determinations and histopathological examination.Results:Q10 but not Q5 attenuated ATZ-induced increase in the levels of serum enzyme markers sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). The heart was less susceptible to ATZ-induced oxidative stress than the liver, kidney, and brain of treated animals, and there were tendencies for synergistic effects in the heart and liver of Q5 + ATZ-treated rats. Oxidative stress-induced by ATZ in terms of increased lipid peroxidation level and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was decreased in the brain of the Q5 + ATZ-treated rats but not that of the Q10 + ATZ-treated rats. Conversely, histopathological changes and oxidative stress-induced by ATZ in terms of elevated lipid peroxidation level, decreased SOD, and catalase (CAT) activities were prevented in the kidney and liver of the Q10 + ATZ-treated rats but not that of the Q5 + ATZ-treated rats.Conclusion:Quercetin at the investigated doses and especially the low dose may not protect against ATZ-induced oxidative stress in rat tissues in an overall sense.

Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus attenuates the severity of experimental arthritis by regulating biochemical parameters

FCA induced arthritis was used to assess the antiarthritic activity of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus administered orally as preventive and therapeutic treatments as alone or in combination. Development of paw edema in the right hind limb was measured with a vernier caliper at the end of each week for 21 days. Animals were sacrificed on 22nd day and serum was taken to study various biochemical parameters. Knee joints were also taken for histopathology. Preventive and therapeutic Lactobacillus treatments significantly increased the serum albumin, total protein, alkaline and acid phosphatase and calcium levels of arthritic animals but decreased the (elevated) titers of rheumatoid factor, ceruloplasmin and serum phosphorous levels. Paw inflammation was also decreased by Lactobacillus in both preventive and therapeutic doses. The knee joint histopathologies of arthritic rats treated with Lactobacillus were also normalized. Lactobacillus exhibits protective properties in both preventive and therapeutic approaches.

Classic Citations: Studies on Prostatic Cancer I. The Effect of Castration, of Estrogen and of Androgen Injection on Serum Phosphatases in Metastatic Carcinoma of the Prostate* by Charles Huggins and Clarence V. Hodges

I n 1941, Huggins and Hodges [1] published this classical article which established for the first time the relationship between testosterone (T) and prostate cancer (PCa). The goals of Huggins and Hodges were to present the values of serum phosphatases in normal men and patients with carcinoma of the prostate. Furthermore, they wanted to demonstrate that the serum levels of acid phosphatase were reduced in metastatic PCa by decreasing the activity of androgens and increased after androgens injections. Authors argued that there were evidences that the activity of phosphatases, mainly the acid one, in serum was found to provide objective indices of activity of PCa [2]. They evaluated alkaline and acid phosphatases of 40 normal men who served as controls to determine the normal range of enzymes levels, 21 men with benign prostatic hypertrophy, and of 47 men with carcinoma of the prostate. Eight patients who had carcinoma of the prostate with bone metastases and with moderate or great elevation of both phosphatases levels were submitted to bilateral orchiectomy. Five patients were injected with stilbestrol 1 mg or estradiol benzoate 1.66 to 3.32 mg daily, and two patients were injected with T propionate 1.25 mg daily before castration. In one patient, T was injected after castration. They also evaluated phosphatase levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of three patients and in the spermatocele fluid of one patient concurrently with the serum levels. They made serial observations of serum phosphatases 1 week before and 4 weeks after bilateral orchiectomy in four normal adult dogs. They found that of the 47 patients with PCa with or without bone metastases, 23 had both phosphatases levels in the range of the controls. Of the remaining 24, all had elevated levels of both alkaline and acid phosphatases. Of 25 patients with radiographic evidence of bone metastasis, 19 had elevated levels of both phosphatases. Alkaline phosphatase alone was increased in two cases, while acid phosphatase was within normal limits, and neither enzyme was increased in other four cases. There was no X-ray evidence of metastasis in 20 patients; in 16 men, both acid and alkaline phosphatases were normal; in three men, alkaline phosphatase was elevated, but in none of this group, the acid phosphatase level was increased. The authors did not report phosphatase levels in men with benign prostatic hypertrophy. After bilateral orchiectomy, the levels of acid phosphatase rapidly decreased (7 to 12 days); its levels usually persisted in a range slightly above or below the upper limits of the normal values and it was maintained at this value with slight fluctuation during the period of observation which in the longest case was 180 days. A rise was always observed in the value of alkaline phosphatase following castration followed by a decrease to or toward normal range. Serum phosphatases were within normal range in four dogs and therewere no changes after castration. © 2010 International Society for Sexual Medicine

Serum acid phosphatase can be a useful tumour marker for giant cell tumour of bone

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical significance of acid phosphatase in giant cell tumour of bone. Serum acid phosphatase levels were measured in 32 patients with this tumour both preoperatively and postoperatively. Serum acid phosphatase value before surgery was high in 15 patients, whereas it was within normal limits in 17 patients. The serum acid phosphatase values of all the 15 patients with high preoperative serum level fell within normal limits postoperatively. In the remaining 17 patients in whom preoperative serum acid phosphatase values were within normal limits, postoperative serum acid phosphatase levels were lower than that of preoperative ones in all the patients. In addition, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the tumour volume and the preoperative serum acid phosphatase level. It is concluded that serum acid phosphatase is a useful tumour marker for giant cell tumour of bone.

Elevation protective role of Camellia sinensis and Urtica dioica infusion against trichloroacetic acid‐exposed in rats

This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of two traditionally used Turkish medicinal plants, Camellia sinensis (CS) and Urtica dioica L. (UD), beverages used against chemical carcinogen trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-exposure in rats. The preventive potential of the plant infusions was evaluated by measuring the level of serum marker enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH); antioxidant defense systems, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT); and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA) content in various organs of rats. Twenty four healthy rats were randomly allotted into four experimental groups: A (untreated control), B (only TCA-treated), C (TCA+CS treated) and D (TCA+UD treated). At the end of the 50 days, the plant infusions possessed chemoprotective effects, deduced by the remaining TCA-induced increased serum damage marker enzyme, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative system in rats compared with those of the control and TCA-exposed rats. According to the results, while the levels of AST, ALT and CPK increased in group B, no significant changes were observed in groups C and D. The MDA content slightly increased in tissues of all groups, being higher in group B. Antioxidant enzyme activities such as SOD and CAT increased significantly in the brain, liver and kidney of group B while they did not change significantly except for in the kidney in groups C and D. The GSH level and the ancillary enzyme GR activity did not change significantly in organs of all groups. On the other hand, the drug metabolizing enzyme, GST, activity decreased significantly in the brain, liver and kidney of group D while slight changes were observed for the other groups. The results revealed that TCA exposure induced oxidative stress in rat tissues, however, in plant beverage supplemented groups, a significant protective effect of CS and UD against TCA-induced oxidative injury was recorded. Hence, the study revealed that the constituents present in CS and UD impart protection against carcinogenic chemical induced oxidative injury that may result in the development of cancer. Also the observations, along with changes, suggest that both CS and UD may possess preventive potential during a 50-day protective exposure.

Acid phosphatase in prostatic tissue homogenates from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma.

Acid phosphatase activity biochemically in the primary tumor of 20 patients with prostatic carcinoma, was studied in an attempt to understand the basis for a correlation or lack of correlation between serum and/or bone marrow acid phosphatase levels and the presence and/or clinical behavior of prostatic carcinoma. The enzyme activity was similarly measured in 19 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia as controls. On the average, enzyme activities were lower (P less than 0.002) in the tissues from patients with carcinoma. There was no correlation of enzyme activity in tumor with the age of the patient, stage of disease, degree of differentiation of the tumor, or serum acid phosphatase activity.

Does rectal examination affect serum acid phosphatase levels?

Formol-stable serum acid phosphatase (SAP) was measured in 200 patients with symptoms of prostatism, before and at varying time intervals after digital rectal examination. In three separate groups of 50 patients SAP levels were measured before and at 5, 15 and 30 min following rectal examination and in a fourth group of 50 patients it was measured before and at 6, 24 and 48 h after examination. No significant change occurred in SAP levels following this examination in any of the groups studied. We conclude that rectal examination does not raise the SAP and that, contrary to popular belief, blood levels recorded at any time within this 48-h period are reliable.