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Drug resistance and toxicity are the most widespread limitations in the pursuit of sufficient antitumor effectiveness and successful control of oncological diseases, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Herein the objective was to investigate some hematological side effects of the chemotherapeutic regimen FOLFOX-4, their relation to dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) levels and the associated alterations in CRC patients' plasma free-radical scavenging properties and extent of oxidative molecular damage. Thirty-eight patients with histologically confirmed CRC diagnoses, assigned to chemotherapy with the FOLFOX-4 regimen, were recruited. The diagnostic methods included a complete physical examination, blood routine test and general biochemistry. The DPD levels were assayed. The patients' plasma free-radical scavenging properties and extent of molecular oxidative damage were determined by spectrophotometry and enhanced chemiluminescence. The clinico-pathological and demographics characteristics of the patients were in agreement with the reports from retrospective cohort studies. The FOLFOX-4 regimen induced a decrease in plasma free-radical scavenging properties and increased extent of lipid peroxidation. White blood cells, granulocytes and lymphocytes decreased significantly after the first cycle of the therapy. The patients' DPD level decreased statistically significantly in the case of severe reduction (more than 25%) of white blood cells and granulocyte counts. The obtained data are in agreement with already known facts concerning the side effects of the FOLFOX-4 regimen and associated changes in redox homeostasis. Genetic predisposition to effectively metabolize and tolerate the applied therapy, i.e. DPD levels, could modulate some aspects of the observed changes in the aforementioned parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Treatment of osteoporosis remains a therapeutic challenge. The effect of Apium Nodiflorum extract on development of experimental osteoporosis, pain thresholds and carrageenan-induced inflammation has been studied in ovariectomized osteoporotic Wistar rats. After osteoporosis verification rats were randomized and received vehicle only, HPLC-standardized Apium extract (equal to 2.4 mg/kg Quercetin) or Genistein (2.5 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. To verify the effect of Apium on the development of osteoporosis, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), bone histology and plasma levels of IL-6 and RANKL were measured 6 months after ovariectomy and 8 weeks after treatment with Apium extract or Genistein as comparator. Inflammatory hyperalgesia was induced by intraplantar injection of 1% Carrageenan. Apium extract and Genistein impeded the development of osteoporosis (significant differences were shown for BMC and BMD levels in drug vs. vehicle treated rats) and improved bone histology and histological score. Apium and Genistein decreased IL-6 level. Both treatments alleviated mechanical hyperalgesia, decreased exudative reaction and lowered inflammatory pain threshold. The results suggested that Apium extract could be an alternative therapy for post-menopausal osteoporosis.