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Biomedical subjects

M Murty

Publications and source records attributed to M Murty.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Current status of total mesorectal excision and autonomic nerve preservation in rectal cancer.

Two decades have passed since the late 1970s, which witnessed the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME)-based operations for rectal cancers on both sides of the Atlantic. Since the introduction of TME, clinical experience has been reported widely in the form of single- and multisurgeon reports from wide geographic regions with multiple participants, and from specialty services with narrow focus and high levels of expertise. All of these published results conclude that in comparison with conventionally practiced blunt surgery for rectal cancer, TME-based (i.e., anatomically correct, sharply performed) operations are associated with significantly lower rates of pelvic (local) recurrences, a significantly higher rate of survival, and significantly lower long-term morbidity. The latter is accomplished through dramatically higher rates of sphincter preservation, and the preservation of both sexual and urinary functions. Overall, there is a remarkable similarity in the clinical results that have been reported from diverse centers. TME now forms the basis of large randomized clinical trials in which the role of adjuvant therapy is being reexamined. The current status of TME is reviewed, and the authors' clinical results of a consecutive series of 544 TME-based operations performed through 1998 are updated.

Autonomic Pathways↗

Arachidonic acid metabolism by adult human osteoblast-like cells exhibits sexually dimorphic characteristics.

The eicosanoids, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and other bioactive arachidonic acid metabolites, are important local mediators of bone remodeling. Presumably, the limited or excessive synthesis of the eicosanoids could compromise bone homeostasis. We have noted that the stimulated release of arachidonic acid by adult male donor derived human osteoblast-like (hOB) cells exceeded the stimulated release measured for female-derived hOB cells by 1.5-fold. Assays of PGE2 biosynthesis by cytokine-stimulated hOB cells also demonstrated a sex-linked difference, such that male hOB cell PGE2 production exceeded female cell production by 1.6-2.2-fold. The calcium-dependent cytoplasmic phospholipase A2 activity in subcellular fractions prepared from hOB cell homogenates was higher in both the cytosolic (1.6-fold) and particulate (1.5-fold) fractions from the male cells than in those prepared from female hOB cells, suggesting a molecular basis for the observed sexually dimorphic characteristics related to arachidonic acid metabolism by hOB cells. The relatively limited capacity of the female cells may limit needed intracellular and intercellular signaling during bone remodeling, thereby contributing to the development of bone pathology.

Adult↗

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 pretreatment limits prostaglandin biosynthesis by cytokine-stimulated adult human osteoblast-like cells.

The steroid derivative 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) is a regulator of bone biology, and there is evidence that 1,25(OH)2D3 modulates arachidonic acid metabolism in osteoblastic cell model systems and in bone organ cultures. In the present studies, 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis by normal adult human osteoblast-like (hOB) cell cultures by about 30%. The decrease was observed under basal incubation conditions, or in specimens stimulated by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta) or by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). The inhibition of the TGF-beta-stimulated PG production appeared to reflect a diminished efficiency of arachidonic acid conversion into PGs by the cells, while the efficiency of substrate utilization for PG biosynthesis was unaffected by 1,25(OH)2D3 pretreatment in the unstimulated samples, or in samples stimulated with TNF or with TNF plus TGF-beta. Free arachidonic acid levels were decreased following 1,25(OH)2D3 pretreatment in the TNF stimulated samples. hOB cell phospholipase A2 activity was measured in subcellular fractions, and this activity was decreased by 20-25% in the 1,25(OH)2D3 pretreated samples. The addition of the selective inhibitor AACOCF3 to the phospholipase A2 assays provided evidence that it was the cytoplasmic isoform of the enzyme that was affected by the 1,25(OH)2D3 pretreatment of the hOB cells. Thus, 1,25(OH)2D3 regulation of hOB cell biology includes significant effects on arachidonic acid metabolism. In turn, this could influence the effects of other hormones and cytokines whose actions include the stimulated production of bioactive arachidonic acid metabolites.

Adult↗

Estrogen pretreatment increases arachidonic acid release by bradykinin stimulated normal human osteoblast-like cells.

Eicosanoids are multifunctional autocrine/paracrine regulators of bone that are enzymatically derived from arachidonic acid (AA). The rate-limiting step in the eicosanoid biosynthetic pathways may be the release of AA from membrane glycerophospholipids by activated phospholipases. Free AA can serve as the substrate for cyclooxygenase(s) or lipoxygenases that catalyze the commitive steps in eicosanoid synthesis; alternatively, free AA may be used in reacylation processes, resulting in its reincorporation into cellular lipids. The hormones 17 beta-estradiol (17 beta-E2), dexamethasone (a synthetic glucocorticoid), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) have been identified as regulators of AA metabolism, at various levels, in several tissues including bone. The possibility that these osteotropic steroids modulate the availability of free AA in bone cells was studied in the human osteoblast-like (hOB) cell model system. Following a 48-h steroid pretreatment, bradykinin or the calcium ionophore A23187 were used as agonists to stimulate hOB cell release of AA. The principal findings from these investigations were that (1) 17 beta-E2 pretreatment potentiated the appearance of free AA following bradykinin stimulation of the cells but, did not alter their response to A23187 stimulation; (2) dexamethasone pretreatment limited bradykinin-induced increases in free AA levels but did not alter cell response to A23187 stimulation; (3) hOB cells derived from different trabecular bone compartments (manubrium of the sternum, femoral head) differed quantitatively in their responses to bradykinin stimulation of AA release; and (4) 1,25(OH)2D3 did not effect AA release stimulated by either agonist. The ability of the steroids to modulate AA release by hOB cells suggests that these hormones may indirectly mediate bone cell responses to other osteotropic hormones that act through eicosanoid-dependent processes.

Arachidonic Acid↗