BACKGROUND The host response to natural fibers results in granuloma formation in an effort to limit tissue destruction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important molecules in the inflammatory granulomatous or reparative reaction. Here, we studied the foreign body reaction that occurs following natural fibers implantation by investigating MMPs and tissue Inhibitor of MMPs (TIMPs) in an in vivo model. METHODS Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with crocidolite fiber or fibrous talc via subcutaneous and intraperitoneal injections and immunohistochemistry was conducted to confirm the expression of MMPs and TIMP-2 in tissue sections. RESULTS We identified that mineral fibers elicited granulomas. Fibrous talc or intraperitoneal injection resulted in larger granulomas and severe tissue destruction compared with the lesions induced by crocidolite or subcutaneous injection. The expression of MMPs was elevated while granulomatous lesions were formed. The relative levels of MMPs were lower in the talc injected or intraperitoneal route models than those of crocidolite injected or subcutaneous injection models during the entire experiment. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that specific expression of MMPs/TIMP is inversely related to the grade of tissue destruction and suggest that expression of MMPs is required for promoting granuloma formation and limiting tissue destruction.
Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is a rare form of inflammatory disease of the gall bladder and was first described in 1970 by Christensen and Ishak as fibroxanthogranulomatous inflammation of the gall bladder.
Recently authors experienced three cases of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, two of which were erroneously diagnosed as malignant tumor in preoperative clinical and radiological examinations. Grossly, the gallbladders were enlarged and the walls were thickened with yellowish granular necrotic areas ranging from a few millimeters to 1.0 cm in diameter. Microscopically, all of three cases showed diffuse infiltration of the foamy histiocytes containing bile pigments and mononuclear leukocytes associated with fibroblastic proliferation and foreign body reactions. The pathogenesis of the xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is uncertain, but opinion favours an inflammatory response to extravasated bile probably, from ruptured Rokitanky-Aschoff sinuses. Three cases of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis with brief review of literature are presented.