LncRNA SNHG16 promotes colorectal cancer proliferation by regulating ABCB1 expression through sponging miR-214-3p

Mounting evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)have critical roles in colorectal cancer(CRC)progression,providing many potential diagnostic biomarkers,prognostic biomarkers,and treatment targets.Here,we sought to investigate the role and underlying regulatory mechanism of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16(SNHG16)in CRC.The expressions of SNHG16 in CRC were identified by RNA-sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription PCR.The functions of SNHG16 were explored by a series of in vitro and in vivo assays(colony formation assay,flow cytometry assay,and xenograft model).Bioinformatics analysis,RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization and luciferase reporter assay were used to investigate the regulatory mechanism of effects of SNHG16.SNHG16 was found to be significantly elevated in human CRC tissues and cell lines.Functional studies suggested that SNHG16 promoted CRC cell growth both in vitro and in vivo.Mechanistically,we identified that SNHG16 is expressed predominantly in the cytoplasm.SNHG16 could interact with miR-214-3p and up-regulated its target ABCB1.This study indicated that SNHG16 plays an oncogenic role in CRC,suggesting it could be a novel biomarker and therapeutic target in CRC.

A Novel NR0B1 Gene Mutation Causes Different Phenotypes in Two Male Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hypoplasia

X-linked congenital adrenal hypoplasia is characterised by the acute onset of primary adrenal insufficiency in infancy or early childhood and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism(HH)at puberty,arising from mutations of the nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B member 1(NR0B1)gene.This study investigated an extended family with two affected males(patient A:23 years and patient B:2 months old)and three carrier females.Sequencing analysis of the NR0B1 gene coding region from the family revealed a novel hemizygous deletion[c.604delT;p.(C202Afs*62)]in the two male patients.Furthermore,the patients'respective mothers and their common grandmother had this heterozygous mutation,but it was not present in the Human Gene Mutation Database.The two male patients showed inconsistent clinical features at onset,particularly in early childhood;however,it is possible that the younger patient will eventually show a delay of puberty,feminisation,and nonspermatogenesis in adulthood,similar to that in the older patient.Identification of a novel NR0BI mutation in this family is important for the diagnosis and genetic counselling of children with primary adrenal insufficiency and HH,and will be helpful for predicting long-term clinical symptoms.

Effect of Baizhu(Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)extract on intestinal absorption of brucine and strychnine in vitro and in situ

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the antagonistic effect of the extract of Baizhu(Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)(RAM)on the intestinal absorption of brucine and strychnine in Strychnos nux-vomica(NUX)and propose the mechanism of these effects.METHODS:The apparent permeability value(Papp)and absorption rate constant(Ka)were chosen as indices.The everted intestinal sac model and in situ single-pass intestinal perfusion model were used to study the effects of the RAM extract on the absorption of brucine and strychnine.To confirm the results,the brucine and strychnine concentrations in hepatic portal venous blood were determined.Western blotting was used to study P-glycoprotein(P-gp)expression in the Caco-2 cell line.RESULTS:Papp and Ka of brucine and strychnine were significantly increased in the presence of a P-gp inhibitor,but no significant increase was noted in the presence of a tight junction regulator.The RAM extract inhibited the absorption of brucine and strychnine and enhanced P-gp expression.CONCLUSION:The primary absorption mechanism for brucine and strychnine is passive transport,which is affected by P-gp.

Effect of decoction of Fuzheng Jiedu Xiaoji formula(扶正解毒消积方) plus chemoembolization on primary liver cancer in patients

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the decoction of Fuzheng Jiedu Xiaoji formula(扶正解毒消积方,FJXF)plus chemoembolization(TACE)on primary liver cancer(PLC)in patients,and study the underlying mechanism.METHODS:Patients with PLC who met the inclusion criteria were randomized into case group and control group.The case group was treated with FJXF combined with TACE.The control group was treated with TACE alone.The short-term clinical effect was evaluated;liver biochemistry,liver function index and multidrug resistance-associated indicators were detected.RESULTS:FJXF combined with TACE in the case group significantly increased the disease control rate than TACE alone in the control group(83.3%vs 61.1%).There was a reduction in the serum alpha-fetoprotein at 8 weeks after treatment in each group,while no difference between the two groups.The same trend can be observed for transaminase and direct bilirubin in both groups.In the case group,it showed a significant increase for albumin at 8 weeks after treatment,while no change in the control group.Multidrug resistanceassociated indicators for multidrug resistance protein 1 and p-glycoprotein were upregulated in the case group but remained stable in the control group.CONCLUSIONS:FJXF combined TACE had a better short-term effect than TACE alone in patients with PLC.The potential mechanism was probably associated with alleviated multidrug resistance induced by FJXF.Additionally,FJXF didn’t increase the risk of liver damage in the combined therapy.