Introduction
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among females. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common subtype of cervical cancer, followed by adenocarcinoma. The most reported sites of metastasis are the lungs, bones, liver, and brain. One of the rarest sites of metastasis, particularly from the adenocarcinoma subtype, is the spleen, with only four reported cases in the literature.
Case report
A 54-year-old post-menopausal female was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the endocervix (FIGO stage IIIB) after she presented to the gynecologist complaining of post-coital vaginal bleeding. The patient received chemoradiotherapy followed by brachytherapy. After completion of treatment, she had a restaging work-up which revealed a complete radiological and pathological response. During her routine follow-up, she was found to have a new splenic lesion by surveillance abdominopelvic MRI three years after completion of treatment. Surgical resection was performed, and pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic cervical adenocarcinoma to spleen.
Conclusion
Cervical cancer metastasis to spleen is very rare, especially in the cervical adenocarcinoma subtype. A high index of suspicion is necessary during follow-up. Once there is a suspicion of splenic metastasis, surgical intervention should be considered for both curative and palliative intents.
Background
Obesity is a global pandemic that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Natural herbs are commonly used for weight reduction and appetite suppression. Therefore, we aim to investigate the role and mechanism of
Nigella sativa
(NS) and ginger on weight reduction and appetite regulation.
Methods
This experimental study was performed at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Twenty-five female rats were distributed into 5 groups: NS (oral 1000mg/kg), Ginger (500 mg/kg), NS-ginger (both interventions), a positive control (intraperitoneal 50 μg/kg Liraglutide), and a negative control. Each intervention was given for 9 weeks. Food intake and body weight were assessed weekly. Serum lipid profile and peptides involved in appetite control (cholecystokinin (CCK), glucagon-like peptide 1(GLP-1), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), ghrelin, peptide YY, and orexin) were assayed at the end of the experiment.
Results
None of the interventions showed a statistically significant difference regarding food consumption or weight gain (p > 0.05). However, the three interventions significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), NS and NS-ginger significantly increased HDL, NS increased ghrelin and ginger increased orexin.
Conclusion
The present dose and duration of NS, ginger, or in combination did not demonstrate a significant change in body weight or food consumption in comparison to the negative or positive controls. However, NS or ginger has improved the lipid profile by reducing TC and increasing HDL. In addition, NS or ginger can influence some of the peptides involved in appetite regulation such as the increase in ghrelin induced by NS and the reduction of orexin induced by ginger. We believe that these latter effects are novel and might indicate a promising effect of these natural products on appetite regulation.
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