Detection of primary and metastatic lesions by [18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET in a patient with thymic carcinoid.

We present a case of thymic carcinoid, in which primary and metastatic lesions of lymph nodes and bones could be detected by [(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET, but not by (123)I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) SPECT, or by (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate ((99m)Tc-MDP) bone scintigraphy. FDG-PET may be a useful tool for managing thymic carcinoids in patients with negative results on (123)I-MIBG SPECT or (99m)Tc-MDP imaging.

Adiponectin inhibits endothelial synthesis of interleukin-8.

Adiponectin is an antiatherogenic adipokine that inhibits inflammation by mechanisms that are not completely understood. We explored the effect of adiponectin on endothelial synthesis of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a pro-inflammatory chemokine that plays a role in atherogenesis. Adiponectin decreased the secretion of IL-8 from human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).

Inhibitory effect of pitavastatin (NK-104) on the C-reactive-protein-induced interleukin-8 production in human aortic endothelial cells.

Recent data have indicated that CRP (C-reactive protein) plays a role in atherosclerosis, in addition to being a marker for inflammatory diseases. IL-8 (interleukin-8), a CXC chemokine, is present in human coronary atheroma and promotes monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion. In the present study, we examined the effect of pitavastatin (NK-104), a synthetic statin (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitor), on IL-8 production induced by CRP in human AoEC (aortic endothelial cells).

FDG-PET imaging in duodenal cancer.

F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging is a useful modality in the detection of various tumors, including colon cancer and gastric cancer. We evaluated a patient with duodenal cancer with multiple metastases including brain metastases using FDG-PET imaging. It revealed multiple tumor uptake in the brain, clavicular fossa, mediastinum, right adrenal gland and duodenum.