Scutellaria barbate extract induces apoptosis of hepatoma H22 cells via the mitochondrial pathway involving caspase-3

AIM: To study the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of Scutellaria barbata D.Don (S. barbata) and to determine the underlying mechanism of its antitumor activity in mouse liver cancer cell line H22. METHODS: Proliferation of H22 cells was examined by MTT assay. Cellular morphology of PC-2 cells was observed under fluorescence microscope and transmission electron microscope (EM). Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was determined under laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) with rhodamine 123 staining. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the cell cycle of H22 cells with propidium iodide staining. Protein level of cytochrome C and caspase-3 was measured by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Activity of caspase-3 enzyme was measured by spectrofluorometry. RESULTS: MTT assay showed that extracts from S. barbata (ESB) could inhibit the proliferation of H22 cells in a time-dependent manner. Among the various phases of cell cycle, the percentage of cells in S phase was significantly decreased, while the percentage of cells in G1 phase was increased. Flow cytometry assay also showed that ESB had a positive effect on apoptosis. Typical apoptotic morphologies such as condensation and fragmentation of nuclei and blebbing membrane of apoptotic cells could be observed under transmission electron microscope and fluorescence microscope. To further investige the molecular mechanism behind ESB-induced apoptosis, ESB-treated cells rapidly lost their mitochondrial transmembrane potential, released mitochondrial cytochrome C into cytosol, and induced caspase-3 activity in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: ESB can effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of H22 cells involving loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, release of cytochrome C, and activation of caspase-3.

Relationship between apurinic endonuclease 1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and gastrointestinal cancer risk: An updated meta-analysis

AIM:To evaluate the relationship between apurinic endonuclease 1(APE1) Asp148 Glu polymorphism and the susceptibility to gastrointestinal(GI) cancers.METHODS:We searched Pub Med, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) databases updated on July 15, 2014 for relevant studies.Only case-control studies comparing APE1 Asp148 Glu polymorphism and GI cancer risk were included.We excluded studies reporting only standardized incidence ratios without control groups and those without detailed genotyping data.Meta-analysis was performed on 17 studies involving 4856 cancer patients and 6136 cancer-free controls.Review Manager version 5.1 was used to perform the meta-analysis.The pooled odds ratios(ORs) and 95% confidence intervals(CIs) were estimated under the allele contrast, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant and recessive genetic models.We also conducted subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity and cancer type.Publication bias was evaluated using Begg's test.RESULTS:The meta-analysis showed a significant association between APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism and GI cancer risk in three genetic models in the overall population(G vs T:OR=1.18;95%CI:1.05-1.32;TG vs TT:OR=1.28;95%CI:1.08-1.52;TG+GG vs TT:OR=1.32;95%CI:1.10-1.57).Stratified analysis by ethnicity revealed a statistically increased GI cancer risk in Asians(G vs T:OR=1.27;95%CI:1.07-1.51;GG vs TT:OR=1.58;95%CI:1.05-2.38;TG vs TT:OR=1.30;95%CI,1.01-1.67;and TG+GG vs TT:OR=1.38;95%CI:1.07-1.78),but not in Caucasians.Furthersubgroup analysis by cancer type indicated that APE1Asp148Glu polymorphism may contribute to gastric cancer risk.However,Asp148Glu has no significant association with colorectal or esophageal cancer risk in any genetic model.CONCLUSION:This meta-analysis suggests that the APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphism G allele is associated with an increased GI cancer risk,especially in gastric cancer.

Accidental venous port placement via the persistent left superior vena cava:Two case reports

BACKGROUND Breast cancer poses a great threat to females worldwide.There are various therapies available to cure this common disease,such as surgery,chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and immunotherapy.Implantable venous access ports(IVAP,referred to as PORT)have been widely used for breast cancer chemotherapy.Venous malformations are possible conditions encountered during PORT implantation.Persistent left superior vena cava(PLSVC)is a common superior vena cava malformation.Most patients have normal right superior vena cava without affecting hemodynamics,so patients often have no obvious symptoms.CASE SUMMARY We incidentally found that two patients had PLSVC while a PORT was implanted via the internal jugular vein.Due to chemotherapy for breast cancer,PORT was successfully implanted under the guidance of ultrasound into these 2 patients.Positive chest X-ray examination after the operation showed that the catheter ran beside the left mediastinum and the end was located in the seventh thoracic vertebra.The patients had no catheter-related complications and successfully completed the course of chemotherapy.Ultrasonography found that the ratio of PORT outer diameter to PLSVC inner diameter was less than 0.45,which was in line with the recommendations of relevant literature and operating guidelines.The purpose of this article is to introduce two rare cases and review the relevant literature.CONCLUSION Correct assessment of PLSVC status and ultrasound-guided PORT placement generally does not affect breast cancer patients chemotherapy.