Raluca Vidrighinescu

Photoprotective effects of Romanian propolis on skin of mice exposed to UVB irradiation

We aimed at investigating the antioxidant, antiinflamatory, antiapoptotic and antigenotoxic effects of a Romanian Propolis (RP) extract in two concentrations (RP1 3 mg, respectively RP2 1.5 mg polyphenols/cm(2)), topically administered, either prior to or after UVB exposure, in a Swiss mouse model. Our results showed that both concentrations of RP extract, independent of the time of administration, significantly attenuated the malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and restored glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. However, the 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine (8-oxo-dG), nitric oxide (NO) and glutathione (GSH) levels were not influenced by UVB exposure and RP treatment. Interleukin (IL)-6 levels were significantly decreased by RP treatment, both before and after UVB-exposure. RP2 extract, in both regimens, significantly reduced the epidermal hyperplasia and dermal inflammation, whereas RP1 pre-treatment diminished only the dermal inflammation. The effect of our RP extract in terms of reduction of sunburn cell formation and of activated caspase-3 and TUNEL-positive cells was observed in both subsets of the experiment, RP2 having a slightly better protective effect as compared to RP1. The antigenotoxic effect of RP was demonstrated by significantly reduced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) formation. Our results suggest that RP extract might be a potential chemopreventive candidate by modulation of multiple UVB-induced signaling pathways in skin.

Description of a Feline Injection-Site Fibrosarcoma with Metastasis in the Cerebellum

Abstract Feline injection-site sarcomas were initially described by Hendrick and Goldschmidt (1991). The link between vaccination site and sarcoma occurrence suggested the term of vaccine-associated sarcomas. Our paper describes an unusual feline injection-site fibrosarcoma with cerebellar metastasis. A 7-year-old female domestic short-hair cat was submitted to the Pathology Department (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Cluj- Napoca, Romania) for necropsy. A subcutaneous tumor (relapse) in the interscapular region and multiple metastatic masses in the lungs, kidneys, subcutaneous tissue (scapular and thigh regions) and cerebellum were observed. Cytological, histological and immunohistochemical (for vimentin, desmin, multi-cytokeratin, α-smooth muscle actin, S100 and CD45) analyses from all tumors were performed. Cytological examination identifi ed highly pleomorphic spindle-shaped cells admixed with neoplastic multinucleated giant cells. Histologically, all neoplastic masses were composed of numerous spindle cells arranged into interlacing bundles. Extensive intratumoral areas of necrosis along with a neutrophilic infiltrate were also detected. A fibrillary material was present among neoplastic cells (green stained by Masson’s trichrome method), suggesting a collagenous structure. In all tumors assessed, immunohistochemistry showed an intense reaction only for vimentin in numerous neoplastic cells. Based on the history, gross, cytological, histological and immunohistochemical data, the final diagnosis was recurrent feline injection-site fibrosarcoma, with multiple metastases (including in the cerebellum). Overall, an uncommon case of feline injection-site fibrosarcoma has been reported. This is the first consistent record of an injection site sarcoma in a cat with cerebellar metastasis.