Molecular mechanisms of apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells induced by ethanol extracts of Solanum lyratum Thumb through the mitochondrial pathway

AIM To explore the induction effects and mechanism of Solanum lyratum Thumb(ST) on human hepatocellularcarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells through the mitochondrial pathway.METHODS The experiments were conducted on three groups: an experimental group (with ST ethanol extracts' concentration being 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/L), a negative control group (with only nutrient solution, 0 mg/L ST ethanol extracts), and a positive control group (2.5 mg/L DDP). The inhibition rate of cell proliferation was checked by using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium method, and cell apoptosis was tested by TUNEL method. Furthermore, RT-PCR was used to examine m RNA expression of Fas, Fas L, caspase-8, caspase-3, p53 and Bcl-2 genes.RESULTS Compared with the negative control group, the inhibition and apoptosis rates of the experimental group with different concentrations of ST extracts on human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells significantly increased(P<0.05). Besides, the m RNA expression of Fas L and Bcl-2 significantly decreased(P<0.05) while the m RNA expression of Fas, caspase-8, caspase-3 and p53 increased significantly. When compared with the positive control group, the experimental groups with 5 mg/L ST ethanol extracts showed effects similar to the positive control group.CONCLUSION ST ethanol extracts induced the apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells through up-regulated Fas, caspase-8, caspse-3 and p53, and down-regulated Fas L and Bcl-2 in the mitochondrial pathway.

Helicobacter pylori isolates from ethnic minority patients in Guangxi:Resistance rates,mechanisms,and genotype

AIM:To investigate the rate of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)resistance to clarithromycin among ethnic minority patients in Guangxi,explore the underlyingmechanisms,and analyze factors influencing genotype distribution of H.pylori isolates.METHODS:H.pylori strains were isolated,cultured and subjected to drug sensitivity testing.The 23S rRNA gene of H.pylori isolates was amplified by PCR and analyzed by PCR-RFLP and direct sequencing to detect point mutations.REP-PCR was used for genotyping of H.pylori isolates,and NTsys_2 software was used for clustering analysis based on REP-PCR DNA fingerprints.Factors potentially influencing genotype distribution of H.pylori isolates were analyzed.RESULTS:The rate of clarithromycin resistance was31.3%.A2143G and A2144G mutations were detected in the 23S rRNA gene of all clarithromycin-resistant H.pylori isolates.At a genetic distance of 78%,clarithromycin-resistant H.pylori isolates could be divided into six groups.Significant clustering was noted among H.pylori isolates from patients with peptic ulcer or gastritis.CONCLUSION:The rate of clarithromycin resistance is relatively high in ethnic minority patients in Guangxi.Main mechanisms of clarithromycin resistance are A2143G and A2144G mutations in the 23S rRNA gene.Clarithromycin-resistant H.pylori isolates can be divided into six groups based on REP-PCR DNA fingerprints.Several factors such as disease type may influence the genotype distribution of H.pylori isolates.

Application of traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)has a high rate of infection and antibiotic resistance and poses a serious threat to human life.One of the main strategies to overcome drug resistance is to develop new treatment plans.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)that is commonly used to treat many diseases in China can reduce drug resistance and increase the eradication rate of H.pylori.In this paper,we review the research progress on TCM in the treatment of H.pylori infection.The mechanism of action of TCM is reviewed and research and applications of TCM in the treatment of H.pylori are demonstrated.Finally,we discuss problems confronting the use of TCM for the treatment of H.pylori infection and propose possible solutions.In addition,the plans of TCM in H.pylori treatment were also screened:Dampness-heat syndrome in the spleen and stomach,deficiency of spleen and stomach,and cold-heat complicated syndrome,and the effective components therein are studied.The antibacterial effect of TCM is relatively slow;for rapid improvement of the treatment effect of refractory H.pylori gastritis,we provide an appropriate treatment regime combining TCM and Western medicine with immune-regulatory and synergistic antibacterial effects.

Treatment strategies and preventive methods for drug-resistant Helicobacter pylori infection

The infection and drug resistance rates of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)are high and must be prevented and treated by better strategies.Based on recent research advances in this field as well as the results from our team and those on traditional Chinese medicine,we review the causes of drug resistance,and prevention and treatment strategies for drug-resistant H.pylori infection,with an aim to make suggestions for the development of new drugs,such as establishment of new target identification and screening systems,modification of existing drug structures,use of new technologies,application of natural products,and using a commercial compound library.This article may provide reference for eradication of drug-resistant H.pylori.

Preparation and hypoglycemic effects of chromium-and zinc-rich Acetobacter aceti

BACKGROUND At present,there is no ideal method to cure diabetes,and there are few reports on the treatment of diabetes with probiotics.AIM To propose a method for preparing a new type of chromium-and zinc-rich Acetobacter aceti(A.aceti)and explore its ability to enhance the hypoglycemic effects of probiotics in the treatment of diabetes.METHODS A.aceti was cultured in a liquid medium that contained chromium trichloride and zinc chloride,both at a concentration of 64 mg/mL,with the initial concentration of the bacterial solution 1×10^(4) CFU/mL.After the bacterial solution had been inducted for 48 h,the culture media was changed and the induction was repeated once.The levels of chromium and zinc in the bacteria were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,and the contents of NADH and glucose dehydrogenase were determined using an NAD/NADH kit and glucose dehydrogenase kit,respectively.Streptozotocin was used to establish a mouse model to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of the proposed chromium-and zincrich A.aceti.Ten-times the therapeutic dose was administered to evaluate its biological safety.The effect on MIN6 islet cells was also assessed in vitro.RESULTS The levels of chromium metal,metallic zinc,NADH coenzyme,and glucose dehydrogenase in A.aceti prepared by this method were 28.58-34.34 mg/kg,5.35-7.52 mg/kg,5.13-7.26μM,and 446.812-567.138 U/g,respectively.The use of these bacteria resulted in a better hypoglycemic effect than metformin,promoting the repair of tissues and cells of pancreatic islets in vivo and facilitating the growth of MIN6 pancreatic islet cells and increasing insulin secretion in vitro.Ten-times the therapeutic dose of treatment was non-toxic to mice.CONCLUSION Chromium trichloride and zinc chloride can be employed to induce the preparation of chromiumand zinc-rich A.aceti,which can then promote the hypoglycemic effect found in normal A.aceti.The bacteria biotransforms the chromium and zinc in a way that could increase their safety as a treatment for diabetes.

Progress of CDK4/6 inhibitors in the treatment of malignant tumors

CDK4/6 inhibitor acts on cell cycle.It can be used alone or in combination to treat lung cancer,liver cancer,pancreatic cancer and other cancers by restoring normal cell cycle,triggering anti-tumor immunity and changing the microenvironment of tumors.It has a certain therapeutic effect,and has a certain inhibitory effect on the proliferation and development of malignant tumors.The combination of other antineoplastic drugs can effectively reduce the emergence of drug resistance and synergistically enhance the clinical efficacy.This article reviews the related research results of CDK4/6 inhibitors,as well as the literature,and summarizes the mechanism and clinical application of CDK4/6 inhibitors.Cyclin dependent kinase(CDK)is a group of serine/threonine protein kinases.The chemical action of CDK on serine/threonine protein is the key to driving cell cycle.The typical biological feature of cancer is cell cycle disorder.As the engine of cell cycle,CDK and its regulators play an important role in tumorigenesis and development.In modern times,cancer has gained a deeper understanding at the level of biomolecule.For cell receptors,more and more drugs are used for key genes.The new generation of CDK4/6 inhibitors cut into the cell cycle to treat malignant tumors,prevent cells from G1 phase to S phase.They have good clinical efficacy for ER+breast cancer patients.They are also used in clinical trials of lung cancer,melanoma and other malignant tumors to treat malignant tumors.Therapy provides a new way.